The ecosystem provides a diverse array of environmental conditions for organisms, and only those that are capable of successfully adapting to these conditions within their habitats can endure, thrive, and proliferate. Further, the environmental conditions within these habitats can significantly affect the bioavailability of chemicals that are introduced therein, thus resulting in varied adverse impacts on the organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of Yuukianura szeptyckii - a species adapted to riparian - to heavy metals following ISO guideline 11276, with the objective of assessing its potential as an indicator species for ecotoxicological evaluations in riparian habitats. The findings revealed that cadmium and copper both had significant toxic effects depending on their concentrations. For cadmium, the LC50 was 280 mg kg-1, EC50 was 66 mg kg-1, and NOEC and LOEC were 25 and 50 mg kg-1, respectively. For copper, the LC50 was 911 mg kg-1, EC50 was 151 mg kg-1, and LOEC was 50 mg kg-1. Comparative analysis with previous results for the international standard species Folsomia candida and the domestic standard species Allonychiurus kimi indicated that Y. szeptyckii exhibited even greater sensitivity to toxicity values. The adverse effects on survival and reproduction were closely associated with the influx concentration of heavy metals in their bodies. Altogether, the results suggest that Y. szeptyckii is a sensitive species for ecotoxicological assessments in riparian habitats, thus making it suitable as an indicator species, particularly in riparian ecosystems that are characterized by relatively high humidity conditions.

The dyeing process is a very important unit operation in the leather and textile industries; it produces significant amounts of waste effluent containing dyes and poses a substantial threat to the environment. Therefore, degradation of the industrial dye-waste liquid is necessary before its release into the environment. The current is focusing on the reduction of pollutant loads in industrial wastewater through remediating azo and thiazine dyes (synthetic solutions of textile dye consortium). The current research work is focused on the degradation of dye consortium through photo-electro-Fenton (PEF) processes via using dimensionally stable anode (Ti) and graphite cathode. The ideal conditions, which included a pH of 3, 0.1 (g/L) of textile dye consortium, 0.03 (g/L) of iron, 0.2 (g/L) of H2O2, and a 0.3 mAcm-2 of current density, were achieved to the removal of dye consortium over 40 min. The highest dye removal rate was discovered to be 96%. The transition of azo linkages into N2 or NH3 was confirmed by Fourier transforms infra-red spectroscopic analysis. PEF process reduced the 92% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of textile dye consortium solution, and it meets the kinetics study of the pseudo-first-order. The degradation of dye through the PEF process was evaluated by using the cyclic voltammetric method. The toxicity tests showed that with the treated dye solution, seedlings grew well.

Velvet antler is widely used as a traditional medicine, and numerous studies have demonstrated its tremendous nutritional and medicinal values including immunity-enhancing effects. This study aimed to investigate different deer velvet extracts (Sample 1: raw extract, Sample 2: dried extract, and Sample 3: freeze-dried extract) for proximate composition, uronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycan, sialic acid, collagen levels, and chemical components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-light mass spectrometry. In addition, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of the deer velvet extracts on BV2 microglia, HT22 hippocampal cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, and RAW264.7 macrophages using the cell viability MTT assay. Furthermore, we evaluated acute toxicity of the deer velvet extracts at different doses (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) administered orally to both male and female ICR mice for 14 d (five mice per group). After treatment, we evaluated general toxicity, survival rate, body weight changes, mortality, clinical signs, and necropsy findings in the experimental mice based on OECD guidelines. The results suggested that in vitro treatment with the evaluated extracts had no cytotoxic effect in HaCaT keratinocytes cells, whereas Sample-2 had a cytotoxic effect at 500 and 1000 μg/mL on HT22 hippocampal cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. Sample 3 was also cytotoxic at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL to RAW264.7 and BV2 microglial cells. However, the mice treated in vivo with the velvet extracts at doses of 500–2000 mg/kg BW showed no clinical signs, mortality, or necropsy findings, indicating that the LD50 is higher than this dosage. These findings indicate that there were no toxicological abnormalities connected with the deer velvet extract treatment in mice. However, further human and animal studies are needed before sufficient safety information is available to justify its use in humans.

Okadaic acid (OA) group toxins, including OA and its analogs, such as dinophysis toxins (DTXs), have been reported to cause diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP). These toxins are primarily produced by dinoflagellates and are accumulated in bivalves. Recently, the presence of Dinophysis sp., a causative alga of DSP, has been reported along the coasts of Korea, posing a potential risk of contamination to domestic seafood and exerting an impact on both the production and consumption of marine products. Accordingly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established standards for the permissible levels of OA group toxins in marine products for safety management. Additionally, in line with international initiatives, the domestic inclusion and regulation of DTX2 among the substances falling under the purview of management outlined by the 2022 diarrheal shellfish toxin standard have been implemented. In this study, we reviewed the physicochemical properties of OA group toxins, their various exposure routes (such as acute toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity), and the relative toxicity factors associated with these toxins. We also performed a comparative assessment of the methods employed for toxin analysis across different countries. Furthermore, we aimed to conduct a broad review of human exposure cases and assess the international guideline for risk management of OA group toxins.

산업과 기술의 발전으로 인해 수계로의 화학물질 배출이 증가하고, 이로 인해 환경오염과 인체 건강에 부정적인 영향을 미치 는 위험이 더욱 증가하였다. 따라서, 수질을 종합적으로 평가할 수 있는 생태독성평가의 중요성이 강조되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 렌즈프 리 그림자 이미징 기술을 활용한 Cellytics 플랫폼을 소개하며, 화학물질에 의한 로티퍼(Brachionus plicatilis)와 미세조류(Dunaliella tertiolecta) 의 생물학적 변화를 신속하게 측정하고 독성을 분석하는 기법을 제안한다. 이를 위해 로티퍼와 미세조류를 톨루엔에 각각 1분과 5분 동 안 노출한 뒤, Cellytics를 이용하여 로티퍼의 이동성과 미세조류의 형태 변화를 측정하여 독성을 평가하였다. 로티퍼의 이동성과 미세조류 의 형태변화는 모두 110.4 mg/L의 농도에서 대조군과 유의미한 차이를 나타내며(p<0.05), 이는 로티퍼의 생존율로 분석한 톨루엔의 LC50(552 mg/L)보다 낮은 농도였다. 본 연구에 따르면, 로티퍼와 미세조류를 전통적인 방식으로 최소 수 일 간 배양하여 얻을 수 있는 생 태독성평가 결과를 매우 짧은 시간(5분 이내)에 분석하고, 두 생물의 독성평가 결과를 신속하게 제공하여 현장에서 활용 가능한 신뢰성 높은 정보를 제공할 수 있음을 보여준다. 이는 독성평가를 이용하는 다양한 연구의 활용에 기여할 수 있으며, 환경보호 및 인체 건강 관 련 정책 수립에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

본 연구는 해양산업시설에서 배출되는 위험·유해물질(Hazardous and Noxious Substances) 중 아연을 대상으로 국내 서식종을 기반 으로 한 독성시험을 수행하고, 그 결과를 활용하여 국내 실정에 맞는 아연의 해양 수질 준거치(Marine Water Quality Criteria)를 제안하였다. 시험생물은 국내 연근해에 분포하고 산업적으로 유용하며, 표준 시험방법이 존재하는 종을 우선으로 5개의 분류군(Algae, Rotifer, Crustacean, Mollusc, Fish)의 총 10종을 선정하여 독성시험을 수행하였으며, 급·만성비(Acute-Chronic Ratio) 산출을 위하여 무척추동물, 어류 분류군에 대한 만성독성시험을 수행하였다. 국내종 독성시험에서 산출된 독성값을 활용한 수질준거치는 US EPA의 CCC (Criterion Continuous Concentration) 산출 기준으로 9.56 ㎍/L, 호주/뉴질랜드의 산출 기준으로 15.50 ㎍/L 로 나타나 호주/뉴질랜드에서 권고하는 기준인 14.40 ㎍/L 와 유사하였다. US EPA 및 호주/뉴질랜드는 자국의 생태독성 데이터베이스(US EPA Ecotox Database, Australasian Ecotoxicology Database)를 보유하고, 신뢰도 높은 독성값들을 생성하여 수질 기준 및 산출 기준을 갱신하고 있다. 한편, 국내에서는 국내종 기반 급성 독 성값을 적용하고 있지만, 중요한 산출 지표인 급·만성비는 US EPA 또는 유럽의 결과값을 활용하여 해양 수질 준거치를 산출하고 있으며, 국내의 생태독성 자료 또한 제한적인 실정이다. 따라서, 국내 해양 서식종을 기반으로 한 지속적인 독성시험과 준거치 설정 체계를 확보하 여 국내 해양생물과 생태계를 보호할 수 있는 해양 수질 준거치 도출이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is currently the most commonly used microbial pesticide. In the previous study, Bt IMBL-B9 known for its high toxicity against Spodoptera exigua, S. frugiperda and Plutella xylostella was characterized. To develop novel biopesticide, optimization of culture medium is required for the cost-effective mass production for toxin production of IMBL-B9. Through experimental design by Plackett-Burman design, ingredients that significantly influenced the production of IMBL-B9's toxin were selected. Using these results, the novel culture medium for IMBL-B9 was developed and the toxin yield of IMBL-B9 was significantly increased than conventional media by using this medium. These results could be useful for the development of biopesticides.

Collagen peptides have garnered significant attention as functional foods across multiple fields due to their capacity to regulate physiological and hormonal processes, offering numerous advantages. However, despite their broad range of applications, comprehensive research on the potential toxicity of these substances remains lacking. Therefore, this study sought to assess the acute oral toxicity of a collagen peptide derived from skate (Raja kenojei) skin (CPSS) in both rats and dogs. In the rat model, CPSS was orally administered at doses of 300 and 2,000 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats. An escalating single-dose oral toxicity assessment at doses of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg was carried out in beagle dogs with 3-day intervals between doses. Throughout the 14-day post-administration assessment period, clinical signs, mortality rates, changes in body weight, and necropsy observations were closely monitored. After oral administration, no signs of toxicity associated with CPSS were observed in either rats or dogs. Therefore, the oral LD50 (approximate lethal dose for 50% mortality) for CPSS in rats was determined to exceed 5,000 mg/kg, and the maximum tolerated dose for dogs was estimated to be above 2,000 mg/kg. Consequently, this study offers safety data on the use of CPSS in functional foods and medicinal applications.

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC50 values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9 g m-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC50 value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0 g m-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

This study examined the subacute oral toxicity of Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév leaves hot-water extracts (DMWE) using male and female Spargue-Dawley rats. Rats were orally administered the DMWE at dose levels of 0, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) for four weeks. For experimental period, clinical signs and the number of deaths were examined, and feed intake and BW of all experimental animals were measured once a week for four weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from all rats, and all animals were euthanized and autopsies were performed to collect major organs. No dead animals were found during the experimental period. In addition, no differences were found between control and DMWE-treated groups in feed intakes, BW changes, organ weights, clinical signs, hematological parameters, and serum biochemical parameters. The results of this study provided evidence that oral administration of DMWE at the dose of 2,000 mg/kg BW is safe in rats and may not exert severe toxic effects.

In this study, the acute toxicity of Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév leaf hot-water extracts (DMWE) was examined in male and female ICR mice. Mice were orally administered the DMWE at dose levels of 0, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) for single-dose toxicity test. There were no significant differences in change of BW between control and all DMWE treated-groups. In hematological and blood biochemical analysis, none of the parameters were affected by the DMWE. Similarly, there were no significant effects on markers for liver and kidney functions in all DMWE treated-groups. Since there were no adverse effects of the DMWE in single oral toxicity tests, even at the highest doses, it was concluded that the lethal dose 50 (LD50) of DMWE is estimated at > 2,000 mg/kg BW.

E171, a mixture of titanium dioxide, has been widely used as a food additive due to its whitening effect and low toxicity. However, it has been proven that E171 is no longer safe for public health. So far, there are insufficient studies on the toxic effects of E171 on organisms especially using standardized test methods. In this study, toxicity assessments of E171 to two aquatic species, water flea (Daphnia magna) and zebrafish (Danio rerio), were performed using modified standardized test methods based on the physicochemical properties of E171. The hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and turbiscan stability index (TSI) were measured to ensure the dispersion stability of E171 in exposure media during the test period. The EC50 for immobilization of water flea was 141.7 mg L-1 while zebrafish was not affected until 100 mg L-1 of E171. Measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme activities confirmed that E171 induced oxidative stress, leading to the activation of superoxide dismutase and catalase in both water flea and zebrafish, although the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes differed between species. These results suggested the potential risk of E171 to aquatic organisms and provided toxicological insights into the impacts of E171 on the environment.

미역(Undaria pinnatifida) 포자를 사용한 생태독성 시험법은 연중 상시 이용하기에 어렵다. 미역 의 암배우체는 실험실에서 배양할 수 있기 때문에, 포자의 단점을 보완하고 상시 생태독성 시 험에 사용할 수 있다. 따라서 미역의 암배우체를 생태독성 시험에 활용하기 위해 다양한 환경 조건에 노출된 미역의 암배우체 생존율과 상대성장률의 변화를 분석하였다. 미역 암배우체는 염분(5~40 psu), 온도(5~30℃), pH (2~10), 광량(0~120 μmol photon m-2 s-1)에 노출되었다. 암배 우체의 생존율은 최고 평균값을 기준으로 온도 20℃, 염분 27.5 psu, pH 8, 광량 30 μmol photon m-2 s-1에서 가장 높았다. 상대성장률은 최고 평균값을 기준으로 온도 15℃, 염문 35 psu, pH 9, 광량 60 μmol photon m-2 s-1에서 가장 높았다. 본 연구결과를 통해 미역 암배우체의 생존율과 상대성장률을 활용하여 연안환경을 상시 신속하게 평가하기 위한 효율적인 방법으로 활용이 기대된다.