Molluscicidal assessment of certain toxicants: Impact on biochemical alterations and electrophoretic protein patterns in Massylaea vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) snails.

Abstract

Massylaea vermiculata snails are a significant gastropod pest in Egypt, threatening agriculture. Due to increasing concerns about conventional pesticides, it is imperative to find effective alternatives that are less harmful. We assessed the molluscicidal activity of abamectin, methoxyfenozide, and spinosad using the leaf-dipping method in vitro and the effect of LC₅₀ of these compounds on biochemical aspects and protein electrophoresis. Results showed that these compounds exhibited molluscicidal activity, with LC₅₀ values of 0.21, 0.63, and 0.65 mg/l for abamectin, methoxyfenozide and spinosad, respectively. Biochemical assays on treated snails showed increased aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and reduced total protein compared to controls. For the most effective compound (abamectin), these values were 195.36, 105.82, 276.76, and 2.49, compared to control values of 88.00, 47.67, 124.67, and 5.52, after 10 days post-treatment. Protein electrophoresis revealed variations in protein bands. Thus, these compounds can be effective within integrated control programs.