Sublethal effects of phenol on the phospholipid fatty acid composition of carp erythrocyte plasma membrane.

The effect of different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 ppm) of phenol on the carp erythrocyte plasma membrane was examined following exposures of 48 and 96 h. The results indicated that the high concentrations of phenol pollutant led to an increase in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and eliminated phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidic acid (PA). The data also revealed that arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) was present in the greatest amounts; its quantity in both low and high doses increased throughout the experimental period. The n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic, 20:5 n-3, and docosahexaenoic acids, 22:6 n-3) displayed a fairly varied picture after exposure to phenol pollutant. Long-term exposure to higher phenol concentrations led to elimination of these acids and significantly decreased n-3/n-6 ratios.