Cytopathological Effects of Detergents on Paramecium caudatum

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Abstract
Toxic effects of ionic and nonionic detergents on P. caudatum show approximately linear relations, when detergent concentration and exposure time are expressed as double logarithmic plot of LD50 doses. Six tested detergents could be arranged in order of increasing dependence on threshold concentrations: CTAB [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide], Triton X-100, SDS [sodium dodecyl sulfate], Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 80. Among Tweens, their higher toxic properties were associated with higher HLB [hydrophilic lipophilic balance] and CMC [critical micelle concentration] values. All applied detergents except Tween 80 induced contraction of ectoplasm which appears as a characteristic pear-shaped or lemon-shaped deformation of the cell body and a shortening of the longitudinal axis to a maximum 65-70% initial body length. Contraction of the body of Paramecium induced by detergents probably results from influx of external Ca2+ throughout the injured membrane and direct triggering action of Ca2+ on the contractile elements within the outer subpellicular layer of ectoplasm.

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