ECOTOXICOLOGY OF THE MICROENCAPSULATED FORMULATION OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT FROM Annona muricata L. (ANNONACEAE)
microencapsulated; O. niloticus; ecotoxicology; oxidative stress.
The present study was carried out with the objective of determining the acute and chronic toxicity, the risk of intoxication due to environmental contamination by the microencapsulated extract of Annona muricata L. In the acute toxicity test, tilapia fingerlings with approximately 30 days of age were exposed at increasing concentrations (0.125; 0.250; 0.500; 1.0 and 2.0g/L) of the bioinsecticide for 24 and 96 hours. Poisoning risks and percentage mortality were determined by comparing the calculated LC50 at 24 and 96 hours of the microencapsulated product. In the SOD, CAT and AChE enzymatic evaluations, tested in the tissues of the liver, gills and brain of O. niloticus, there was an increase in oxidative activity. However, there was no significant difference in the means analyzed by the ANOVA system. Despite this, when individuals were exposed to the two highest concentrations 1.0 and 2.0 g/L, they were severely impaired and had almost total mortality in less than 24 hours of exposure. A possible justification for this fact may be that the encapsulation vehicle can generate defense in the fish. Therefore, since ecotoxicology is a weak point in the promotion of alternative products, more studies are needed in the area of natural products, such as extracts and oils.