Permethrin induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minutus

ABSTRACTBiomonitoring has become a useful tool in environmental risk assessment of anthropogenic activities releasing disturbing pollutants. Permethrin, used worldwide to control a wide range of pest insects, can threaten aquatic biota, potentially useful as precocious bioindicators in ecotoxicology. This study seeks to assess the acute toxicity permethrin to the freshwater beetle, its availability in water, as well as, its uptake. The acute toxicity of permethrin to non-target species was studied under laboratory conditions to assess its effect, after the exposure 48 h, on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minitus considering changes in some enzymatic activities; a specific biomarker of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase) and a non-specific biomarker of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and catalase). The rates of permethrin in water and insects were determined using gas chromatography. The low measured concentration of the pesticide 0.0013 μg/L didnt modify the SOD and CAT activities in comparison...