The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer

Metformin (MET) and its metabolite guanylurea (GUA) are prevalent in aquatic environments, raising concerns about their potential risks to aquatic organisms. However, the toxicity of these compounds through different exposure routes has not been reported. This study evaluated the effects of MET and...

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Main Authors: Fan Gao, Lingyun Zhu, Fan Zhang, Meng Li, Hairong Lian, Sen Feng, Xinfeng Cheng, Xianling Xiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325006876
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author Fan Gao
Lingyun Zhu
Fan Zhang
Meng Li
Hairong Lian
Sen Feng
Xinfeng Cheng
Xianling Xiang
author_facet Fan Gao
Lingyun Zhu
Fan Zhang
Meng Li
Hairong Lian
Sen Feng
Xinfeng Cheng
Xianling Xiang
author_sort Fan Gao
collection DOAJ
description Metformin (MET) and its metabolite guanylurea (GUA) are prevalent in aquatic environments, raising concerns about their potential risks to aquatic organisms. However, the toxicity of these compounds through different exposure routes has not been reported. This study evaluated the effects of MET and GUA on the growth of the green algae Tetradesmus obliquus and on life table parameters of the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus through various exposure routes, including waterborne, foodborne, and combined waterborne + foodborne. Our results indicated that both MET and GUA, at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 100 mg/L, inhibited algae growth, with GUA causing greater stress than MET. Additionally, compared to waterborne exposure, foodborne and combined waterborne + foodborne exposures of MET and GUA at these concentrations significantly decreased the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), and life expectancy (e0) of B. calyciflorus. Notably, the impact of exposure routes on the life table parameters of B. calyciflorus was generally greater than the impact of exposure concentrations. Therefore, previous studies focusing solely on waterborne exposure may have underestimated the toxicity of MET and GUA.
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issn 0147-6513
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
spelling doaj-art-b5063efabaed4daa8aa958183530df4c2025-08-20T02:32:26ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-07-0129911835110.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118351The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotiferFan Gao0Lingyun Zhu1Fan Zhang2Meng Li3Hairong Lian4Sen Feng5Xinfeng Cheng6Xianling Xiang7School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-Founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-Founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China; Corresponding author at: School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China.Metformin (MET) and its metabolite guanylurea (GUA) are prevalent in aquatic environments, raising concerns about their potential risks to aquatic organisms. However, the toxicity of these compounds through different exposure routes has not been reported. This study evaluated the effects of MET and GUA on the growth of the green algae Tetradesmus obliquus and on life table parameters of the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus through various exposure routes, including waterborne, foodborne, and combined waterborne + foodborne. Our results indicated that both MET and GUA, at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 100 mg/L, inhibited algae growth, with GUA causing greater stress than MET. Additionally, compared to waterborne exposure, foodborne and combined waterborne + foodborne exposures of MET and GUA at these concentrations significantly decreased the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), and life expectancy (e0) of B. calyciflorus. Notably, the impact of exposure routes on the life table parameters of B. calyciflorus was generally greater than the impact of exposure concentrations. Therefore, previous studies focusing solely on waterborne exposure may have underestimated the toxicity of MET and GUA.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325006876MetforminGuanylureaFoodborneWaterborneRotifer
spellingShingle Fan Gao
Lingyun Zhu
Fan Zhang
Meng Li
Hairong Lian
Sen Feng
Xinfeng Cheng
Xianling Xiang
The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Metformin
Guanylurea
Foodborne
Waterborne
Rotifer
title The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
title_full The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
title_fullStr The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
title_full_unstemmed The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
title_short The toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi-routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
title_sort toxicity comparison of metformin and its degradant guanylurea through multi routes exposure experiments using algae and rotifer
topic Metformin
Guanylurea
Foodborne
Waterborne
Rotifer
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325006876
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