Toxicity testing of cosmetic ingredients using gametophyte beads of the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales, Phaeophyta)

Authors

MT Brown

Abstract

A 6-h toxicity test of cosmetic ingredients (methylparaben, 2-phenoxyethanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate, triethanolamine) was developed, based on the photosynthetic maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of immobilized gametophytes of the brown macroalga Undaria pinnatifida. From calculated EC50 values, the toxicity ranking of the tested ingredients is: SDS (0.0060%) > MP (0.0634%) > 2-PE (0.2418%) > TEA (3.7023%). Compared to the results from conventional endpoints with other ecotoxicity test organisms, measurements of Fv/Fm is a more sensitive indicator of the toxic effects of cosmetic ingredients. The present technique is simple, rapid, practical, accurate, and requires little space to carry out. This novel method will be a useful tool for assessing the toxicity of a wide range of cosmetic ingredients once the respective sensitivities are fully established.

DOI

10.1007/s10811-018-1669-x

Publication Date

2019-01-03

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Phycology

Publisher

Springer Verlag

ISSN

0921-8971

Embargo Period

2024-11-22

Comments

File embargoed until 03.01.2020 (publisher’s embargo period).

Recommended Citation

Brown, M. (2019) 'Toxicity testing of cosmetic ingredients using gametophyte beads of the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales, Phaeophyta)', Journal of Applied Phycology, . Springer Verlag: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-018-1669-x