Ecotoxicological impact of selected polyethylenimines toward their potential application as nitrogen fertilizers with prolonged activity

Abstract Poly(2-oxazoline) polymers have found extensive application in the preparation of microcapsules for biomedical purposes. However, there is a scarcity of information related to their ecotoxicological assessment. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the ecotoxicity of selected polyethylenimines (PEIs) including poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) as an N -acyl-substituted PEI, linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) and branched polyethylenimine (BPEI). Oat (a monocotyledon) ( Avena sativa ) and radish (a dicotyledon) ( Raphanus sativus ) were selected as the representative plants, which are recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 208 as the standard to test for plant growth. Shoot and root length, fresh and dry matter, level of total nitrogen in green parts of the plants, as well as total chlorophyll and carotenoids were determined. Phytotoxicity of all the tested parameters was dependent on the concentration of the examined polymers in the soil as well as on the time of their incubation in the soil. According to our results, the amount of nitrogen in green parts of the plants was increased compared to the control plants, which revealed the uptake of the plant-available form of nitrogen released from the tested PEIs. This was especially true for the plants treated with LPEI. Ecotoxicological impact of the incubated polymers in the soil against marine bacteria Allivibrio fischeri proved that, the all tested polyethylenimines may be classified as not harmful to aquatic microorganisms.