Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely applied in cosmetics and industrial products to protect against UV-induced damage. Among these, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) is one of the most common UV filters used in personal care products (PCPs). This...
Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely applied in cosmetics and industrial products to protect against UV-induced damage. Among these, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) is one of the most common UV filters used in personal care products (PCPs). This compound is extensively detected in marine environments, primarily introduced via beach recreational activities and wastewater discharge. Despite its widespread presence, there remains a significant gap in understanding its ecological impact, particularly on marine fish species.
To evaluate the toxicity of EHMC during embryonic development, chameleon goby (Tridentiger trigonocephalus) was selected as the experimental species. Fertilized eggs were incubated in 6-well plates and exposed to various concentrations of EHMC (5, 50 and 500 µg/L) for 144 hours. We assessed morphological changes, yolk sac volume, heartbeat rate, survival rate and hatching rate during embryogenesis. After 48 hours of exposure, tail malformation was first observed at 500 µg/L; similar abnormalities were also observed in all experimental groups at 60 hours post exposure (HPE). In addition, the occurrence of blood congestion and spinal curvature increased in a concentration-dependent manner. At 72 HPE, the heartbeat rate was significantly reduced in all experimental groups, with the lowest value at 500 µg/L. The yolk sac absorption exhibited significant delays across all concentrations of EHMC. The survival rate was slightly increased at 5 µg/L compared to the control, but showed a decreasing trend at higher concentrations. The hatching rate decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, with a significant difference at 500 µg/L. The length of hatched larvae was significantly reduced in all experimental groups. Our results suggest that even low concentrations of EHMC can interfere with embryonic development.