Terrestrial toxic effects of soil arsenate were studied using a model system consisting of Capsicum annum, Myzus persicae, Aphidus colemani. We investigated the transfer of arsenic from soil to aphid and toxic effect of elevated arsenic on each trophic level. Artificial soil was treated with arsenate at 0, 2 and 6 mg/kg, then arsenic concentration of soil, plant tissues (root, stem, leaf) aphids were measured to observe the arsenic transfer. Toxic effects of elevated arsenic concentrations on each species were investigated at population level. Physiological and biochemical responses of plant and aphid were observed. In addition, enzyme activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by arsenic stress were also investigated. Host choice capacity and parasitism success of the parasitoids were examined. The results suggest that arsenic concentration in plant tissues and aphids were elevated with increased concentration of arsenic in soils. Physiological responses of plants were not affected by soil arsenic but there was change of biochemical responses. Decreased fecundity and honeydew excretion of aphids were observed, elevated activity of antioxidant enzymes indicated that aphids received the ROS stress induced by arsenic. Decreased eclosion rate of parasitoids were observed with increased arsenic treatment in soil. The results showed low concentration of arsenic in soil can transfer through food chain and can impact on higher trophic level species.

전국의 토양시료로부터 3가지의 곤충목인, 나비목, 파리목, 딱정벌레목에 속하는 10종의 곤충에 대하여 독성을 보이지 않는 4종의 Bacillus thunngiensis 균주를 분리하였다. 이들 4종의 균주를 각각 NTB-1, NTB-2, NTB-3, NTB-4로 명명하였다. 취상차 현미경과 주사전자현미경을 통해 관찰된 이들 4종 균주의 내독소 단백질 형태는 모두 원형이었으며, 각 균주의 내독소 단백질과 plasmid DNA 특성을 규명하기 위해 단백질 전기영동과 제한효소 분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과 이들 균주의 내독소 단백질과 plasmid DNA pattern은 이미 알려져 있는 무독성 균주들과는 다른 양상을 보여, 기존의 무독성 균주와 다른 새로운 균주임을 알 수 있었다.