Title: Acute and chronic toxicity of difenoconazole fungicide on freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium lanchesteri)

Authors: Harlina Ahmad; Muhammad Radzi Abd Rahman; Shahizatul Fatihah Jamal Abdul Nasir; Nurul Syuhada Haji Baharudin

Addresses: School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: The toxicity of difenoconazole, a fungicide belonging to the triazole group of compounds, upon the freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium lanchesteri sp.) was assessed within a laboratory setting. Shrimps were exposed to five different concentrations (0.33, 0.65, 1.30, 3.25, and 6.50 mg/L) of difenoconazole. The lethal concentration for 50% mortality in the population (LC50) determined the acute toxicity level of the compound, whilst chronic toxicity was derived from its no-observed effect concentration (NOEC). Subsequently, the LC50 and NOEC values observed for M. lanchesteri were determined to be 2.91 mg/L and 0.79 mg/L, respectively. This study demonstrated that aside from the intended anti-fungal effects of difenoconazole fungicides, they may also be toxic to off-target organisms, particularly M. lanchesteri.

Keywords: difenoconazole; acute toxicity test; chronic toxicity; Macrobrachium lanchesteri; LC50.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2022.124589

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2022 Vol.11 No.3, pp.183 - 193

Accepted: 04 May 2021
Published online: 29 Jul 2022 *