A 90-day subchronic oral toxicity assessment of cry11Ba protein expressed in genetically modified Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by using Han Wistar rats.

Abstract

Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases are a persistent risk to humanity all over the world. A genetically modified algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) producing mosquito larvicidal cry11Ba protein was constructed in Biopharmaceutical Laboratories of CEMB, University of Punjab, Pakistan. The current study aims at the biosafety assessment of this transgenic algae in Han Wistar rats for a 90-days trial period. Thirty male Han Wistar rats were used in the experiment, divided into three groups which were given transgenic algae mixed water (at 1x105cell mL− 1 concentration), non-transgenic algae mixed water (at 1x105cell mL− 1 concentration), and simple water without algae respectively for 90-days. Han Wistar rats were regularly clinically observed for any mortality, allergenicity, moribundity, water consumption, feed consumption, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry (LFT, RFT, serum electrolytes), urine analysis, molecular analysis, necropsy analysis (organs morphology, organ weight, and histopathology of vital organs) and found no substantial difference among any of the groups. In conclusion, there was no adverse effect found on the overall health of male Han Wistar rat feeding on transgenic algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) producing the cry11Ba protein.