The Unhappy Effects of the Antidepressant Fluoxetine on the Freshwater Microalga <i>Raphidocelis subcapitata</i>.

ABSTRACT: Pharmaceuticals can be found in the aquatic environment and cause unwanted effects on organisms. The present work aimed to characterize the toxic mode of action of the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLX) on the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. With this aim, the microalga was exposed to low levels (µg/L) of FLX for 72 h. Exposure to 20-30 µg/L FLX arrested algal growth, which can be explained by the blockage of algal nuclear division. In addition, FLX (15-30 µg/L) deeply altered the alga's metabolism, which was reflected by an increase in esterase activity, mitochondrial dysfunction (hyperpolarization of inner mitochondrial membrane), and reduction in the content of photosynthetic pigments: chlorophyll a (chla) and carotenoids (car). A sharp decline in photos

SUBMITTER: Machado MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12568130 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature