Nonylphenol, an Integrated Vision of a Pollutant

Abstract

Abstract. Nonylphenol is a metabolic intermediate from the microbial transformation of detergents used worldwide. While nonylphenol shows some acute toxicity, it is also able to mimic important hormones resulting in the disruption of several processes by interfering with the signals that control the overall physiology of the organism. This work perform a critical reviews on the origin, environmental fate, microbial transformation, ecosystems impact and endocrine disruption capacity of nonylphenol. Due to mass production of parent products and potential toxicity, nonylphenol is an example of a microbial decay product that may pose an environmental risk. The analysis supports the need for better tests to evaluate, model and monitor the potential long-term environmental impact of single compounds produced as a result of an environmentallymediated degradation.

Cellular responses and bioremoval of nonylphenol and octylphenol in the freshwater green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus

“…NP and OP were also detected in five German rivers at the concentrations up to 458 and 189 ng/L, respectively (Bolz et al, 2001). Although the parent surfactants APEs are less toxic, NP and OP have been found to be more persistent and toxic (Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005;Ying et al, 2002). Alkylphenols NP and OP are known as endocrine disruptors, which possess the ability to mimic natural estrogens and disrupt the endocrine systems of higher organisms by interacting with the estrogen receptor (Soares et al, 2008;Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005), thereby potentially producing adverse effects on the reproductive system.…”

“…Although the parent surfactants APEs are less toxic, NP and OP have been found to be more persistent and toxic (Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005;Ying et al, 2002). Alkylphenols NP and OP are known as endocrine disruptors, which possess the ability to mimic natural estrogens and disrupt the endocrine systems of higher organisms by interacting with the estrogen receptor (Soares et al, 2008;Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005), thereby potentially producing adverse effects on the reproductive system. For example, when exposed to NP or OP, male rainbow trout developed synthesis of vitellogenin and concomitant inhibition of testicular growth (Jobling et al, 1996).…”

“…Algae can interact with aquatic contaminants, which include negative effects on algal growth and function and algal degradation of the contaminants (Semple et al, 1999;Wang et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2002). Algae may also take up aquatic contaminants, thereby acting as a medium for bioconcentration and subsequent biomagnification in higher trophic levels (Sijm et al, 1998;Soares et al, 2008;Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005). Algae have also been suggested to be used in wastewater treatment processes (Park et al, 2011).…”

Intracellular proteome expression during 4-n-nonylphenol biodegradation by the filamentous fungus Metarhizium robertsii

“…Humans also experience symptoms related to 4-NP exposure (Krupiński and Długoński 2011). The main source of 4-NP is microbial degradation of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs), surfactants that are widely used in industrial and domestic products (Lintelmann et al 2003;Vazquez-Duhalt et al 2005;Corvini et al 2006). 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) is a 4-NP isomer with a linear alkyl chain, used as an intermediate during the production of NPEOs and characterized by its toxicity and estrogenic activity in aquatic organisms (Lintelmann et al 2003;Bonefeld-Jørgensen et al 2007;Soares et al 2008).…”

Distribution, exposure pathways, sources and toxicity of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates in the environment

“…Exposure to APE degradation products can result in acute and/or chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms (Langston et al, 2005;Vazquez-Duhalt et al, 2005). Studies have demonstrated that APEs compete for the binding site of natural oestrogen receptors in vertebrates and can elicit a variety of responses, including stimulation of vitellogenin, an egg-yolk protein in males; modification of testicular structure and decreased sperm counts thus leading to both intersex fish and altered sex ratios in populations, and induction of both liver damage and mortality (Servos, 1999;Ackermann et al, 2002;Bakke, 2003;Staples et al, 2004;Rempel and Schlenk, 2008;Amaro et al, 2014;Chen et al, 2014).…”