Ecotoxicity of the Antiretroviral Raltegravir on Microcystis Novacekii, Chlorella Vulgaris, and Artemia Salina

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Raltegravir (RAL), an antiretroviral (ARV) used in HIV treatment, has been detected in aquatic environments, although its ecotoxicological effects are still poorly understood.The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of the RAL-K (MCR) formulation, both alone and in combination with a dolutegravir-containing medication (MCD), on the aquatic organisms Microcystis novacekii, Chlorella vulgaris, and Artemia salina, as well as estimate the associated environmental risk.The assays followed ABNT NBR 12648 (2018) and NBR 16530 (2021) standards, with exposures ranging from 6 to 102 mg/L.As a result, the species M. novacekii exhibited the highest sensitivity among the tested organisms, with an EC50 of 44.56 ± 1.77 mg/L, being classified as "slightly toxic" (category 3 -GHS).The combination of MCR + MCD intensified the effects, reducing the EC50 to 20.96 ± 0.95 mg/L.In contrast, the microalga C. vulgaris exhibited stimulated cell growth, while A. salina did not experience significant acute effects (EC50 > 100 mg/L).The ecological risk assessment indicated high risk in all simulated scenarios: Brazil (RQ = 11.0),Portugal (RQ = 6.06), and South Africa (RQ = 381.51).The results suggest that although RAL is classified as slightly toxic to the tested organisms, its environmental concentration could negatively affect aquatic organisms.Additionally, its combined presence with other ARVs could exacerbate these impacts, highlighting the need for environmental monitoring and improvements in effluent treatment systems.