Jing Ye

Bio: Jing Ye is an academic researcher from Shanghai Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Microcystis aeruginosa & Superoxide dismutase. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 12 publications receiving 146 citations.

Toxin Release of Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa after Exposure to Typical Tetracycline Antibiotic Contaminants.

Abstract: The global usage of veterinary antibiotics is significant. Antibiotics can be released into aquatic environments and elicit toxic effects on non-target organisms. In this study, the growth characteristics and toxin release of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) were examined to investigate the physiological effects of tetracycline antibiotics on aquatic life. Results showed that the degree of toxicities of the following target antibiotics was TC (tetracycline hydrochloride) > CTC (chlortetracycline hydrochloride) > OTC (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) in terms of growth parameters, EC10 (0.63, 1.86, and 3.02 mg/L, respectively), and EC20 (1.58, 4.09, and 4.86 mg/L, respectively) values. These antibiotics inhibited the production of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) to varying degrees. CTC interfered M. aeruginosa cells and decreased their ability to release MC-LR, but this antibiotic stimulated the ability of these cells to synthesize MC-LR at 2 and 5 mg/L. OTC elicited a relatively weaker toxicity than CTC did and reduced MC-LR release. TC was the most toxic among the three antibiotics, and this antibiotic simultaneously reduced intracellular and extracellular MC-LR equivalents. Our results helped elucidate the effects of tetracycline antibiotics on M. aeruginosa, which is essential for environmental evaluation and protection. Our results are also helpful for guiding the application of veterinary antibiotics in agricultural settings.

Physiological effects and toxin release in Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis viridis exposed to herbicide fenoxaprop-p-ethyl.

Abstract: Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (FPE) was studied for possible ecotoxicity on two representative toxigenic cyanobacteria including Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis viridis. Growth curves, chlorophyll a content, protein content, microcystin levels, oxidative stress, and apoptosis rates were measured for the two cyanobacteria after exposure to different concentrations of FPE. Results showed that the changes in chlorophyll a content and protein content were consistent with cell density, and M. viridis was more sensitive than M. aeruginosa to FPE. The results of oxidative stress indicated that FPE induced the generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in these two cyanobacteria. To further explore the toxicity of FPE, apoptosis rates and toxin levels were measured for the two cyanobacteria. Different degrees of apoptosis rates were observed in the two cyanobacteria, and the apoptosis rates increased with the increase concentration of FPE. The intracellular and extracellular MC-LR were both affect by FPE. The presence of FPE in aquatic ecosystem may stimulate the synthesis and release of MC-LR, which may cause serious water pollution and pose threats to human health. These results may be useful for the ecotoxicity assessment of FPE and guiding the rational use of pesticides in agriculture.

Persistence of cyanobacterial hepatotoxin, microcystin-LR in particulate material and dissolved in lake water

Abstract: The persistence of cyanobacterial hepatotoxin, microcystin-LR, was investigated in Lake Tuusulanjarvi in southern Finland from August to October, 1993 and 1994. The amount of toxin in particulate material and dissolved in water were determined by HPLC from samples collected from mesocosm enclosures and from the surrounding lake water. In the beginning of the experiments over 80% of the phytoplankton biomass consisted of cyanobacteria. The main species were Microcystis wesenbergii (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria), M. viridis and M. aeruginosa. The microcystin-LR concentration in particulate material varied from 2.7 to 3.2 μg l−1 and the corresponding concentration of microcystin LR dissolved in water from 0.06 to 0.21 μg l−1. The cyanobacterial biomass decreased towards the middle of September and simultaneously the microcystin concentration in freeze dried particulate material decreased below the detection limit of 10 μg g−1, corresponding 0.01 μg l−1. Dissolved microcystin-LR was detected in a concentration range of 1 to 5 ng l−1 even at the end of the experiments in October, when the cyanobacterial biomass was less than 1 mg l−1. Thus, dissolved microcystin was more persistent compared to microcystin in particulate material: the decimal reduction time for dissolved toxin was 30 d and for toxin in particulate material about 15 d.

Enantioselective Environmental Toxicology of Chiral Pesticides

Abstract: The enantioselective environmental toxic effect of chiral pesticides is becoming more important. As the industry develops, increasing numbers of chiral insecticides and herbicides will be introduced into use, potentially posing toxic effects on nontarget living beings. Chiral pesticides, including herbicides such as acylanilides, phenoxypropanoic acids, and imidazolinones, and insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates, and DDT often behave enantioselectively during agricultural use. These compounds also pose unpredictable enantioselective ecological threats to nontarget living beings and/or humans, affecting the food chain and entire ecosystems. Thus, to investigate the enantioselective toxic effects of chiral insecticides and herbicides is necessary during environmental protection. The environmental toxicology of chiral pesticides, especially the findings obtained from studies conducted in our laboratory during the past 10 years, is reviewed.