Ecotoxicological effects of nadifloxacin on the swimming behaviour of Daphnia magna

Authors

  • Renata Vidal Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2214-7373
  • Ana Rita Carvalho Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal. LSRE-LCM, ALiCE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology/ARNET – Aquatic Research Network, Department of Biology & Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
  • Maria E. Tiritan Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
  • Igor E. Oliveira Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Bruno B. Castro CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology/ARNET – Aquatic Research Network, Department of Biology & Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
  • Virgínia M. F. Gonçalves Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal. UNIPRO – Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal
  • Alexandra S. Maia Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal
  • Ana Rita L. Ribeiro LSRE-LCM, ALiCE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Cláudia Ribeiro Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra, Portugal. 2 UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2026.434

Keywords:

Poster

Abstract

Background: Nadifloxacin (NDFX) is a chiral fluoroquinolone widely used as a topical treatment for inflammatory acne lesions [1] and is frequently detected in aquatic environments due to its persistence and inefficient removal in wastewater treatment plants [2, 3]. Its environmental presence raises concerns about potential enantioselective effects on non-target aquatic organisms. However, toxicity data for freshwater invertebrates such as Daphnia magna remain scarce, highlighting the need to evaluate its potential ecological risks. Objective: This study aimed to assess the potential sub-chronic effects of NDFX racemate and its individual enantiomers on Daphnia magna by evaluating swimming behaviour endpoints. Methods: Sub-chronic exposure assays initiated using neonates (<24 h) exposed for 9 days to 100 µg.L⁻¹ of racemic NDFX or each isolated enantiomer. Each treatment consisted of 5 replicates, with 20 organisms per replicate. After the exposure period, swimming behaviour endpoints (swimming speed, swimming activity, and total distance travelled) were assessed through the analysis of 1-min video recordings. Results: No significant changes in swimming behaviour endpoints were observed in organisms exposed to either NDFX racemate or its isolated enantiomers. Conclusions: Overall, NDFX exposure did not cause significant changes in swimming behaviour in Daphnia magna, and no enantioselective effects were observed under the tested conditions. Further studies are required to clarify the potential mechanisms of NDFX toxicity in aquatic organisms.

References

1. D’sa, M. et al. Spectrometric method for simultaneous quantification of nadifloxacin and salicylic acid in a novel topical dosage form. Green Anal Chem 2024, 11, 100166, doi: 10.1016/j.greeac.2024.100166.

2. Maia, A.S. et al. Quantification of fluoroquinolones in wastewaters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Environ Pollut 2020, 259, 113927, doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113927.

3. Li, F. et al. Historical distribution and multi-dimensional environmental risk assessments of antibiotics in coastal sediments affected by land-based human activities. Mar Pollut Bull 2025, 214, 117731, doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117731.

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Published

2026-05-05

How to Cite

Vidal, R., Carvalho, A. R., Tiritan, M. E., E. Oliveira , I., B. Castro, B., F. Gonçalves, V. M., Maia, A. S., L. Ribeiro, A. R., & Ribeiro, C. (2026). Ecotoxicological effects of nadifloxacin on the swimming behaviour of Daphnia magna. Scientific Letters, 1(Sup 1). https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2026.434

Issue

Vol. 1 No. Sup 1 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Renata Vidal, Ana Rita Carvalho, Maria E. Tiritan, Igor E. Oliveira , Bruno B. Castro, Virgínia M. F. Gonçalves, Alexandra S. Maia, Ana Rita L. Ribeiro, Cláudia Ribeiro

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