Toxicological effects of aflatoxin B1 on the earthworm Eisenia fetida as determined in a contact paper test

In this study, aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) toxicity toward the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) was evaluated in contact paper test systems containing distilled water and ethanol or 20 to 400 μg/ml of AFB₁ over 72 h of exposure. The results indicated that AFB₁ could induce significant damage to earthworms (coiling, curling, excessive mucus secretion, clitellum swelling) at greater than 75 μg/ml. Moreover, AFB₁ had harmful effects on E. fetida (degenerative changes such as bulging of the clitella regions) at levels higher than 150 μg/ml. The calculated LD₅₀ was 168.5 μg/ml. These findings confirm that E. fetida and standardized methods based on this organism (OECD 207 1984) are applicable and useful in mycotoxin related toxicity studies.