Effects of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide on the anti-oxidant system of earthworm.

The activity changes of anti-oxidant enzymes and the levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde were determined when Eisenia foetida were exposed to different concentrations of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide for 14d. The results showed catalase activity in all treatment groups was elevated significantly after 1d of exposure, and superoxide dismutase activity in higher-dosage groups (120 and 160mgkg(-1)) was increased at 3d post-exposure. On the 7thd, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the 20 and 40mgkg(-1) dosage groups was inhibited while increased in the 80 and 160mgkg(-1) groups compared with the control groups. During exposure, the level of intracellular glutathione in all treatment groups was much higher than that of the control groups. Changes in malondialdehyde indicate that [C(8)mim]Br may lead to cellular lipid peroxidation in earthworm. Our results suggest that exposure to [C(8)mim]Br induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in earthworms. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.