Vol. 25 No. 1 (2026): Mapana Journal of Sciences
Research Articles

A Potential impact of glyphosate on morpho-behavioural changes, antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation products in the epigeic earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae.

  • Lekshmi Priya R,
  • Aruna Devi. C
Lekshmi Priya R
Department of Zoology, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India
Aruna Devi. C
Department of Zoology, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India

Published 2026-02-14

Keywords

  • antioxidants,
  • biomarkers,
  • glyphosate,
  • lipid peroxidation,
  • oxidative stress,
  • earthworm
    • ...More
    Less

Copyright (c) 2026

Creative Commons License

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Abstract

The plants and animals in the soil ecosystem are negatively impacted by the regular use of chemical pesticides in agricultural areas. The usage of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) and the discharge of glyphosate residues into the soil environment have raised serious concerns over time. This intentional release of pesticides into the soil environment highlights how important it is to keep an eye on the herbicides' ecotoxicological risk assessment and minimize any potential negative consequences. The current study examines the harmful effects of the herbicide glyphosate on the earthworm Eudrillus eugeniae from this perspective. In the epigeic earthworm, E. eugeniae, the non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and the hepatic antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were selected as biomarkers. The results demonstrated that the sublethal exposure to glyphosate had a significant effect on these biomarkers' activity. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, such as conjugate diene and malondialdehyde, were also altered by exposure. Through its interactions with antioxidant enzymes, the current study further demonstrated that glyphosate is a chemical with oxidative potential.

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