Evaluation of the Effects of Imazalil on Genotoxicity and Behavioral Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Imazalil (IMZ) is an imidazole and triazole derivative fungicide that is widely used to prevent many diseases in vegetable and fruit fields and to prevent post-harvest spoilage. In this study, the genotoxic potential of IMZ at different concentrations (0.25, 1, 4.5 mM) on Drosophila melanogaster was investigated using Somatic Mutation and Recombination (SMART) and Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet) Assays. The effect of the same IMZ concentrations on behavioral toxicity in D. melanogaster was investigated. Larval weight, crawling, and pupa formation success were performed to determine behavioral toxicity. As a result of the study, it was determined that IMZ generally caused a negative effect on D. melanogaster. In the SMART test, it was found that the differences between the wing preparations of the individuals obtained as a result of all IMZ concentration applications were not statistically significant compared to the negative control. The damage caused to DNA by IMZ was determined by the Comet test, and a statistically significant increase in DNA damage scores was observed at doses of 1 and 4.5 mM. In the crawling experiment of IMZ on D. melanogaster, a decrease in locomotion occurred due to the increase in dose compared to the control group, and these changes were found to be statistically significant at all application doses. Changes in larval weight were not found to be statistically significant. In the pupa formation success experiment, the decrease at 1 and 4.5 mM doses was found to be statistically significant.