In
this study, the enantiomer-specific bioactivity, bioaccumulation,
and toxicity of fenpropathrin (FEN) enantiomers were investigated
in soil-earthworm microcosms. The bioactivity order was S-FEN > rac-FEN > R-FEN for Spodoptera litura and Conogethes punctiferalis. Moreover, S-FEN was 12.0 and 32.2 times more toxic
than rac-FEN and R-FEN to earthworms,
respectively. S-FEN degraded faster than R-FEN with the enrichment of R-FEN in the
soil environment. Furthermore, the peak-shaped accumulation curves
for FEN enantiomers were observed, and R-FEN was
preferentially bioaccumulated by earthworms. As compared to R-FEN, S-FEN induced greater changes in
the activities of detoxification enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and
malondialdehyde content, which suggested that earthworms exhibited
enantioselective defense responses to S-FEN and R-FEN. Integrated biomarker response results indicated that S-FEN exhibited higher toxic effects on earthworms than R-FEN. Finally, molecular simulation revealed that the greater
interaction forces between S-FEN and sodium channel
protein could be the primary reason for the enantioselective bioactivity
and toxicity of FEN enantiomers. This study comprehensively highlights
the enantiomer-specific bioactivity, bioaccumulation, toxicity, and
mechanism of FEN in soil-earthworm microcosms at the enantiomer level.
Our findings will contribute to a better risk assessment of FEN in
the soil ecosystem.