Biological evaluation of microbial toxin degradation by microinjected zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 227; pp. 151 - 161
• Main Authors: Csenki, Zsolt, Garai, Edina, Risa, Anita, Cserháti, Mátyás, Bakos, Katalin, Márton, Dalma, Bokor, Zoltán, Kriszt, Balázs, Urbányi, Béla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Biodetoxification; Cupriavidus basilensis; Mycotoxin; Ochratoxin; Cupriavidus basilensis; Biodegradation; Ochratoxin; Biodetoxification; Mycotoxin
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.014

The use of microinjection of newly fertilized zebrafish eggs as an appropriate tool for qualifying the biodetoxification properties of toxin-degrading microbes was investigated. Ochratoxin A (OTA), bacterial degradation products of OTA and bacterial metabolites of the Cupriavidus basilensis ŐR16 strain were microinjected. Results showed that variations in the injected droplet size, and thus treatment concentrations, stayed within ±20%, moreover embryo mortality did not exceed 10% in controls, that is in accordance with the recommendations of the OECD 236 guideline. The highest lethality was caused by OTA with a significantly higher toxicity than that of bacterial metabolites or OTA degradation products. However, toxicity of the latter two did not differ statistically from each other showing that the observed mortality was due to the intrinsic toxicity of bacterial metabolites (and not OTA degradation products), thus, the strain effectively degrades OTA to nontoxic products. Sublethal symptoms also confirmed this finding.
confirmed that microinjection of zebrafish embryos could be a reliable tool for testing the toxin-degrading properties of microbes. The method also allows comparisons among microbial strains able to degrade the same toxin, helping the selection of effective and environmentally safe microbial strains for the biodetoxification of mycotoxins in large scale.
•ŐR16 degrades OTA to nontoxic products, however bacteria have intrinsic toxicity.•Toxicity differences between test solutions are detectable after 3 days of exposure.•Injection volume variations and control mortality correspond with OECD TG 236.•Microinjection is proper for qualifying the toxin-degrading properties of microbes.•The method helps in selecting the most effective, safe strains for detoxification.