Histological study on the effect of sodium bentonite nanoparticles on the earthworm, Allolobophora caliginosa (Lumbricidae: Annelida)

Abstract

Bentonites are used on a large scale, by farmers and the feed industry, as a feed supplements to adsorb mycotoxins. The presence of mycotoxins in feed affects its quality, animal safety, and human health. Food additives must be used carefully as they may contaminate food and became harmful to the environment and food consumers. The present work studied the effect of two different concentrations of sodium bentonite on the body wall, gut, and coelomic cells of earthworms. The results revealed a change in the behavior of earthworms and the occurrence of a great alteration in the tested samples but no mortality was recorded. Coelomic cells aggregated, vacuoles and pseudopodia were formed.