Endosulfan sulfate is a major metabolite of endosulfan, a broad-spectrum organochlorine insecticide.¹Endosulfan sulfate is formed through oxidation of endosulfan by bacteria and fungi in the environment, where it is considered a persistent organic pollutant (POP). It accumulates in the liver and gonads of wild silverside fish (O. bonariensis) and is found in higher amounts in mature fish than pre-spawning fish.²Levels of endosulfan sulfate in the gills of matureO. bonariensiscorrelate with increased levels of lipid peroxidation. It is toxic to freshwater fish, includingG. affinis,H. formosa,P. latipinna, andP. promelas, with LC₅₀values ranging from 2.1 to 3.5 µg/L after a 96-hour exposure.³Endosulfan sulfate is the main metabolite found in the liver of mice following endosulfan administration at doses of 0.3 and 3 mg/kg.⁴It decreases the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, in the liver, but increases MDA in the kidney when administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg.

1.Kataoka, R., and Takagi, K.Biodegradability and biodegradation pathways of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfateAppl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.97(8)3285-3292(2013) 2.Barni, M.F.Assessment of persistent organic pollutants accumulation and lipid peroxidation in two reproductive stages of wild silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis)Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.9945-53(2014) 3.Carriger, J.F., Hoang, T.C., Rand, G.M., et al.Acute toxicity and effects analysis of endosulfan sulfate to freshwater fish speciesArch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.60(2)281-289(2011) 4.Yan, J., Wang, D., Miao, J., et al.Discrepant effects of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate on oxidative stress and energy metabolism in the livers and kidneys of miceChemosphere205223-233(2018)