Genotoxic and Toxicopathological Responses to Ethyl Paraben in Plants and Earthworms: Potential Impacts to Crop Yields and Sustainable Regenerative Agricultural Landscapes

The systemic toxicities and cellular responses triggered by ethylparaben were evaluated in the roots of cenoura, tomate, and pepino seeds, in the roots of cebola bulbs, and in Eisenia fetida earthworms, at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng.L-1. In plants, concentrations significantly altered catalase activity, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. In carrot (10, 100, and 1000 ng.L-1), tomato (1000 ng.L-1), and cucumber (all concentrations) caused lipid peroxidation. Oxidative radicals produced caused a delay in the progression of the cell cycle and cellular changes in the root meristems, significantly inhibiting roots growth in the plants evaluated. In earthworms, ethylparaben caused a dose-dependent pattern of aversion to the treated soil, which at 1000 ng.L-1 was 90%, characterizing high repellency with habitat loss. Earthworms had no mortality after 14 days of an acute exposure to ethylparaben. Catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase were significantly inhibited at the 10 ng.L-1 concentration, and all concentrations caused lipid peroxidation, which results in tissue damage and can substantially impact the survival and ecological functions of these organisms. Therefore, recurrent contamination with ethylparaben can negatively affect soil quality, impacting crop productivity and the ecological sustainability of agricultural landscapes.