Assessment (in vitro) toxicity of small molecules of plant origin

Abstract

Small molecules of plant origin can have different effects on bacterial cells. At present, it is of great interest to determine the toxic effects of such compounds in order to assess the potential of their use in veterinary medicine and medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the toxicity of various chemically synthesized small molecules of plant origin using a bacterial luminescent biosensor based on Escherichia coli and a cell culture of the freshwater ciliate Stylonychia mytilus. Cinnamic aldehyde had the greatest toxic effect on the E. coli MG1655 pXen7 lux-biosensor, which was expressed in a significant decrease in the luminescence level of the strain compared to the control. Quercetin in the concentration range used did not affect the luminescence intensity of the lux-biosensor. Coumarin and vanillin were characterized by a similar manifestation of the toxic effect. Similar results were also confirmed using S. mytilus as a test object. The results obtained expand the understanding of the possible toxic effect of phytochemicals, which can be used in the development of feed additives in animal husbandry (as analogues of feed antibiotics).