Christine Melin, H. Egnéus
Nov 1, 1983
Citations
1
Influential Citations
14
Citations
Journal
Physiologia Plantarum
Abstract
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBF) is widely used as a plasticizer and has been found in all types of ecosystems. It inhibits growth and photosynthesis of green algae (Chlorella emersonii CCAP strain 211/8 h and Selenastrum capricornutum CCAP strain 278/4) at concentrations higher than 10-5M. The IC50 value for CO2-dependent oxygen evolution in algae was 3 × 10-4M. The CO2-reduction in isolated protoplasts prepared from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Simba) was also inhibited by phthalate. The IC50 value was 2 × 10-4M. The electron transport in isolated thylakoids prepared from spinach was inhibited with an IC50 value of 3 × 10-4M. The IC50 value for uncoupled electron transport extrapolated to zero chlorophyll concentration was 2.5 × 10-5M. The effect of di-n-butyl phthalate was localized to reactions in photosystem II. Di-n-butyl phthalate could thus be a pollutant which affects growth and photosynthesis of plants. The reported IC50 values may be underestimated since di-n-butyl phthalate can attach to surfaces. The results are discussed in relation to observed effects of di-n-butyl phthalate on other organisms.