Brazilian Journal of Enviromnent
Open Access Journal
CiteScore
0.5
Indexada na
SCOPUS
QUALIS
B3
2017-2021
quadriênio
Open Access Journal
0.5
Indexada na
SCOPUS
B3
2017-2021
quadriênio
Ecotoxicology is a multidisciplinary science that investigates the adverse effects of contaminants on ecosystems. One class of contaminants that has been gaining attention is the pharmaceuticals, which reach effluents after their metabolis or improper disposal. Losartan potassium is an antihypertensive drug widely used in Brazil, and it is present in low concentrations in aquatic ecosystems, having already demonstrated toxic effects on different species. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effects of losartan potassium at different concentrations on the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa L. L. sativa seeds were cultivated in Petri dishes and BOD incubators and treated with aqueous solutions containing losartan potassium at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 mg. L-1. Germination was assessed, and on the 15th day after the start of the experiment, the total length and chlorophyll content of the seedlings were measured. The results indicated that losartan potassium did not inhibit seed germination, but it negatively affected the development of seedlings treated with the solution containing 1,000 mg. L-1 of losartan potassium. However, a positive effect was detected in seedlings treated with 10 mg. L-1, with an increase in total length of 14% compared to the control group. No abnormalities were detected regarding total chlorophyll content. The results obtained indicate that losartan potassium can trigger toxic effects in plants, but more detailed studies with more concentrations and other biological scales are necessary.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ester Carolayne Oliveira Da Silva Lira, Laurisvan Sabino da Silva, Sâmara Roberta Andrade Nunes, Maria Janiely de Siqueira Gomes, José Ricardo Dias Maciel Lima, Laise Manuelle Tenorio de Vasconcelos , Geralda Adriana Alves da Silva Galindo Oliveira, Paulo Henrique Oliveira de Miranda