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Estimating the Bioconcentration Factors of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds from Biotransformation Rates Using Rainbow Trout Hepatocytes

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Abstract

Determining the biotransformation potential of commercial chemicals is critical for estimating their persistence in the aquatic environment. In vitro systems are becoming increasingly important as screening methods for assessing the potential for chemical metabolism. Depletion rate constants (kd) for several organic chemicals with high octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow) values (9-methylanthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, and PCB-153) in rainbow trout hepatocytes were determined to estimate biotransformation rate constants (kMET) that were used in fish bioconcentration factor (BCF) models. Benzo[a]pyrene was rapidly biotransformed when incubated singly; however, its depletion rate constant (kd) declined 79% in a mixture of all four chemicals. Chrysene also exhibited significant biotransformation and its depletion rate constant declined by 50% in the mixture incubation. These data indicate that biotransformation rates determined using single chemicals may overestimate metabolism in environments containing chemical mixtures. Incubations with varying cell concentrations were used to determine whether cell concentration affected kd estimates. No statistically significant change in depletion rate constants were seen, possibly due to an increase in nonspecific binding of hydrophobic chemicals as cell density increased, decreasing overall biotransformation. A new model was used to estimate BCFs from kMET values calculated from empirically derived kd values. The inclusion of kMET in models resulted in significantly lower BCF values (compared kMET = 0). Modelled BCF values were consistent with empirically derived BCF values from the literature.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Strategic Grant Program) for financial support (CJK, MM, and FCPG). The technical assistance of V. Otton is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Jennifer J. Trowell, Margo M. Moore & Christopher J. Kennedy

  2. School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Frank A. P. C. Gobas

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  1. Jennifer J. Trowell
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  2. Frank A. P. C. Gobas
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  3. Margo M. Moore
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  4. Christopher J. Kennedy
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Correspondence to Christopher J. Kennedy.

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Trowell, J.J., Gobas, F.A.P.C., Moore, M.M. et al. Estimating the Bioconcentration Factors of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds from Biotransformation Rates Using Rainbow Trout Hepatocytes. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 75, 295–305 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0508-z

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