Ecotoxicity Assessment of α-Amino Acid-Derived Polyamidoamines Using Zebrafish as a Vertebrate Model

The aquatic ecotoxicity of three α-amino acid-derived polyamidoamines (PAAs) was studied using zebrafish embryos as a viable vertebrate model organism. The PAAs examined were water-soluble amphoteric polyelectrolytes with a primarily negative charge, which were efficient flame retardants for cotton. The fish embryo acute toxicity test performed with PAA water solutions using 1.5–500 mg L−1 concentrations showed that toxicity did not statistically differ from the control. The survival rates were indeed >90%, even at the highest concentration; the hatching rates were >80%; and the numbers of morphological defects were comparable to those of the control. Tests using transgenic zebrafish lines indicated that the numbers of microscopic vascular and musculoskeletal defects were comparable to the control, with one random concentration showing doubled alterations. Sensory–motor tests in response to visual and tactile stimuli were also performed. In the presence of PAAs, embryos exposed to alternating light/dark cycles showed an insignificant mobility reduction during the dark phase. Touch-evoked response tests revealed a mild effect of PAAs on the neuromotor system at concentrations > 10 mg L−1. The cystine/glycine copolymer at 100 mg L−1 exhibited the greatest effect. Overall, the studied PAAs showed a minimal impact on aquatic systems and should be further considered as promising ecofriendly materials.