Evaluating the Developmental Toxicity of Acid Fuchsin: Insights from the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX)
Date
2-19-2025
Faculty Mentor
James Rayburn, Biology
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
9:00-9:10 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Please note: no video is available for this presentation.
Acid fuchsin, a synthetic dye widely used in textiles, paper, plastics, and leather industries, contributes to environmental pollution through wastewater discharge. Amphibians, as sensitive bioindicators of environmental health, are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pollutants. To assess the potential developmental toxicity of acid fuchsin, we employed the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX), a widely accepted method for detecting environmental teratogens. In this study, early-stage Xenopus embryos were exposed to various concentrations of acid fuchsin (0.1 mg/L to 1000 mg/L) for 96 hours. Mortality, malformations, and embryo lengths were recorded at the end of the exposure period. Statistical analyses, including probit analysis for LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) and EC50 (effective concentration for 50% malformations), along with ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc tests, were conducted to evaluate the data. Results showed that the 96-hour LC50 exceeded 1000 mg/L, while the 96-hour EC50 for malformations was approximately 120 mg/L. High concentrations of acid fuchsin resulted in significant reductions in embryo length and severe malformations, particularly affecting the spine, eyes, and gut. Our findings suggest that acid fuchsin exhibits teratogenic properties, with malformation rates reaching 100% and severe developmental abnormalities observed at the highest concentrations. These results underscore the potential risk posed by acid fuchsin in wastewater to aquatic organisms and, indirectly, to human health and ecosystems. Further research is essential to explore the long-term effects of acid fuchsin on amphibian populations and to identify effective methods for mitigating synthetic dye pollution in aquatic environments.
Keywords
student research, biology
Rights
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Disciplines
Biology
Recommended Citation
Fowler, Vaderick, "Evaluating the Developmental Toxicity of Acid Fuchsin: Insights from the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX)" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 9.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/9
