Abstract
Potential toxic effects of thiobencarb and its nano-derived form as topical applications against land snails: Theba pisana and Eobania vermiculata were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Median lethal doses (LD50s) of nano-derived form were 485.3 and 422.8 µg/snail on E. vermiculata and T. pisana, respectively, inducing toxicity index: 1.45 and 1.86-folds, compared with traditional form. Sublethal doses: 1/10 and 1/50 LD50 of the examined pesticide were tested against some biochemical measurements e.g. acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and ALP), aminotransferases (AST/ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in ganglia and digestive glands. All treatments significantly decreased AChE activity, respect to control. Significant increase in MDA level and activities of GST and LDH were noticed. No significant changes in ACP and ALP activities were noticed, but ALT/AST enzymes exhibited significant decline, respect to their controls. These findings may highlight the role of nano-emulsion of thiobencarb as a molluscicide independent on its inhibitory action of AChE and other targets.