Absorption, metabolism and excretion by goldfish of the anionic detergent sodium lauryl sulphate.

The route of absorption, tissue distribution, metabolism route of excretion, and excretion rate of the anionic detergent sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in goldfish was investigated using [35-S] or [1-14-C] SLS. It has been shown that goldfish absorb SLS from solution principally through the gills, and that SLS is rapidly distributed throughout the body tissues, the highest concentration being found in the gall bladder. SLS was metabolised by the fish to butyric acid-4-sulphate, and was excreted by the kidney. Over a 24-h period 68% and 38% of a prescribed dose was excreted from freely fed and unfed fish, respectively.