Journal of Ecology and Toxicology
Open Access

Toxicological Tool; Protozoa; Unicellular Organisms; Paramecium Bursaria; Microplastics

Introduction

The size of the plastic debris is primarily what determines its negative effects on the local biota [1]. Aquatic ecosystems are gravely endangered by plastic contamination. Large pieces of plastic, like fishing lines and bottle caps, can physically entangle a wide range of aquatic organisms [2,3]. These enormous wastes of plastic can also be broken down into microplastics (MPs) through photo-oxidation, biodegradation, and physical abrasion [4]. Due to their small size, which typically ranges from one millimeter to five millimeters, MPs are emerging as a threat to aquatic biota. As a outcome, numerous aquatic species can get closer to them, most likely through direct ingestion or trophic transfer. Up to this point, numerous investigations have been conducted into the possibility of toxic MPs. Due to the elusive concentration of this novel contaminant in the aquatic system, various concentrations, ranging from 102 to 1010 particles/mL, were chosen to evaluate acute or chronic impacts on aquatic animals from various trophic positions in experimental settings. The metabolic functions of mysid shrimp (Neomysis japonica), hermit crabs (Pagurus bernhardus), zebrafish (Danio rerio), monogonont rotifers (Brachionus koreanus), and zebrafish (Danio rerio) as well as monogonont rotifers (Brachionus koreanus) were examined to see if they had changed or if It is essential to keep in mind that studies involving animals with multiple cells, such as metazoans, account for the majority of our knowledge of MPs. On the other hand, very little is known about how MP affects unicellular protozoans. Furthermore, there is currently a lack of awareness regarding alternative protozoan-based methods for assessing MP toxicity [5-7]. The broad group of single-celled organisms that can be found in nature are called protozoans. One of these microscopic animals, Paramecium, is of particular interest to the scientific community because it has served as a useful model organism in eukaryotic biology and biomedical research [8]. Paramecium, a genus of ciliates with short cilia arranged in rows on the membrane, was the first ciliate to be observed due to their relatively large size. Since their discovery, a number of culturing protocols have been developed that make it relatively simple to cultivate and maintain Paramecium cultures with minimal effort, low cost, and fewer ethical considerations. In addition, it was later demonstrated that Paramecium engaged in complex but quantifiable behaviors like avoidance and pursuit of prey in response to external stimuli. It is now possible to link phenotypic shifts to genotypes and learn about the genomes of several Paramecium species thanks to advancements in sequencing technology. Paramecium is an excellent model organism for evaluating MP toxicity because of all of these characteristics. Recent studies have demonstrated that MPs are utilized in Paramecium; However, additional research is needed to investigate the potential effects on Paramecium, particularly the behavioral and molecular changes caused by MPs uptake [9,10].

Discussion

The practical approach outlined in this study provides valuable insights into the toxicity of microplastics using P. bursaria as a model organism. The findings contribute to our understanding of the ecological consequences of microplastic pollution and highlight the importance of mitigating its impact on freshwater ecosystems. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of microplastic exposure and potential interactions with other environmental stressors.

Conclusions

MPs altered the behavior and molecular makeup of P. bursaria. Changes in the symbiotic relationships between the infected P. bursaria, decreased avoidance, and elevated oxidative stress were among the symptoms. As this study demonstrated, P. bursaria was found to undergo behavioral and molecular changes upon exposure to MPs. P. bursaria could be a useful tool for determining the toxicity of novel pollutants like MPs in aquatic or experimental settings, according to this.

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