Biomarkers-based assessment of triclosan toxicity in aquatic environment: A mechanistic review

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 286; p. 117569
• Main Authors: Kumar, Saurav, Paul, Tapas, Shukla, S.P., Kumar, Kundan, Karmakar, Sutanu, Bera, Kuntal Krishna, Bhushan kumar, Chandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2021
• Subjects: Antimicrobial resistance; Biomarker; Endocrine disruption; Genotoxicity; Triclosan; Endocrine disruption; Biomarker; Triclosan; Antimicrobial resistance; Genotoxicity
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117569

Triclosan (TCS), an emergent pollutant, is raising a global concern due to its toxic effects on organisms and aquatic ecosystems. The non-availability of proven treatment technologies for TCS remediation is the central issue stressing thorough research on understanding the underlying mechanisms of toxicity and assessing vital biomarkers in the aquatic organism for practical monitoring purposes. Given the unprecedented circumstances during COVID 19 pandemic, a several-fold higher discharge of TCS in the aquatic ecosystems cannot be considered a remote possibility. Therefore, identifying potential biomarkers for assessing chronic effects of TCS are prerequisites for addressing the issues related to its ecological impact and its monitoring in the future. It is the first holistic review on highlighting the biomarkers of TCS toxicity based on a comprehensive review of available literature about the biomarkers related to cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, hematological, alterations of gene expression, and metabolic profiling. This review establishes that biomarkers at the subcellular level such as oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, neurotoxicity, and metabolic enzymes can be used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of TCS in future investigations. Micronuclei frequency and % DNA damage proved to be reliable biomarkers for genotoxic effects of TCS in fishes and other aquatic organisms. Alteration of gene expression and metabolic profiling in different organs provides a better insight into mechanisms underlying the biocide's toxicity. In the concluding part of the review, the present status of knowledge about mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance of TCS and its relevance in understanding the toxicity is also discussed referring to the relevant reports on microorganisms. [Display omitted] •Rise in TCS concentration is predicted in aquatic system in COVID pandemic era.•The mechanisms of TCS induced toxicity in aquatic organisms are elucidated.•The review is underlining the key biomarkers of TCS toxicity in aquatic organisms.•TCS can modulate the gene expression and metabolic activity in different organs.•Development of antimicrobial resistance in microbes due to TCS is conferred. Main Finding of paper: It is the first holistic review on highlighting the biomarkers of TCS toxicity based on a comprehensive review of available literature about the biomarkers related to cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, hematological, alterations of gene expression and metabolic profiling. This review establishes that organ-based biomarkers such as oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, neurotoxicity, DNA damage, alteration of gene expression, and metabolic profiling can be used to evaluate the chronic effect of TCS in future investigations.