An integrated multi-omics approach reveals octocrylene disrupts Tetradesmus obliquus growth by triggering a cascade of photosynthetic inhibition and metabolic dysregulation

Jun-Jie Hu; Chang-Gui Pan; Feng-Jiao Peng; Hao Liang; Zhen-Zhu Liu; Kefu Yu

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139072

An integrated multi-omics approach reveals octocrylene disrupts Tetradesmus obliquus growth by triggering a cascade of photosynthetic inhibition and metabolic dysregulation

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jun 26:495:139072. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139072. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jun-Jie Hu¹, Chang-Gui Pan², Feng-Jiao Peng³, Hao Liang¹, Zhen-Zhu Liu¹, Kefu Yu¹

Affiliations

¹ Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Centerof China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
² Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Coral Reef Research Centerof China, School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: panchanggui@gxu.edu.cn.
³ SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: Fengjiaopeng@m.scnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 40580732
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139072

Abstract

Octocrylene (OC) is a widely used organic UV absorber and a common ingredient in coral-friendly sunscreen. Recent studies have highlighted its impact on microalgal growth, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the growth inhibition and related mechanisms of green algae Tetradesmus obliquus exposed to OC at four concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 500 μg/L) over 7 days. Results demonstrated a concentration-dependent growth inhibition, with approximately 24 % growth reduction observed in the 500 μg/L group by the end of exposure. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed that effective quantum yield (Y(II)) and photochemical quenching (qP) decreased by 8 %-29 %, while relative electron transport rate (rETR) declined by 10 %-36 %. These changes were supported by alterations in the expression of photosystem-related genes and proteins (psbW, psaG, psaN, psbA, petF, Lhcb1, Lhcb2, psbS, and Lhcb4). Additionally, suppression of the Calvin cycle and glycolysis pathways led to metabolic disruptions, with upregulated fatty acid degradation to compensate for tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle substrates. As energy reserves were diverted to counteract OC stress, the availability of precursors for DNA and RNA synthesis decreased, directly affecting cell growth and division. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of OC in aquatic environments.

Keywords: Growth inhibition; Multi-omics analysis; Octocrylene; Photosynthesis; Tetradesmus obliquus.