Biological screening of selected Pacific Northwest forest plants using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) toxicity bioassay

Yvette M. Karchesy; Rick G. Kelsey; George Constantine; Joseph J. Karchesy

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2145-1

Treesearch

Biological screening of selected Pacific Northwest forest plants using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) toxicity bioassay

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Yvette M. Karchesy, Rick G. Kelsey, George Constantine, Joseph J. Karchesy

Year:

2016

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2145-1

Source:

SpringerPlus. 5(1): 135-

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Abstract

The brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay was used to screen 211 methanol extracts from 128 species of Pacific Northwest plants in search of general cytotoxic activity. Strong toxicity (LC₅₀ < 100 μg/ml) was found for 17 extracts from 13 species, with highest activity observed for Angelica arguta roots at <10 μg/ml. Notably, four species of cedar trees and one of juniper in the family Cupressaceae dominated this group with LC₅₀ for heartwood extracts ranging from 15 to 89 μg/ml. Moderate toxicity (LC₅₀ 100–500 μg/ml) was found in 38 extracts from 27 species, while weak toxicity (LC₅₀ 500–1000 μg/ml) was detected for 17 extracts in 16 species. There were 139 extracts from 99 species that were non-toxic (LC₅₀ > 1000 μg/ml). Our subsequent studies of conifer heartwoods with strong activity confirm the assay’s value for identifying new investigational leads for materials with insecticidal and fungicidal activity.

Keywords

Brine shrimp lethality, Artemia salina, Methanol extracts, Bioactivity

Citation

Karchesy, Yvette M.; Kelsey, Rick G.; Constantine, George; Karchesy, Joseph J. 2016. Biological screening of selected Pacific Northwest forest plants using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) toxicity bioassay. SpringerPlus. 5(1): 135-.