The Impact of JUUL E-Liquid and Components on Caenorhabditis Elegans

Overview

According to the US FDA, use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has reached “an epidemic proportion.” Although they are marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, the FDA issued a lengthy warning in 2018 of the risks of addiction and marketing of ENDS aimed at America’s youth. The FDA, in particular, addressed the popular JUUL products. With the rapid and continued rise in the use of ENDS, research on their safety is under scrutiny. This study examined the chemotaxis behavioral effects of JUUL e-cigarette liquids and their ingredients on stress resistant daf-9 mutant Caenorhabditis elegans. Individual culture plates were divided into four concentric areas and the test solution was placed in the center area. Each of the four circles was assigned a number, 1 being the center area and 4 being the outermost area. The JUUL flavors used were Classic Menthol, Mango, Crème Brûlée, Cool Cucumber, and Fruit Medley. The concentrations tested were 1%, 25%, 50%, and 100% and were made by diluting the test substances in E. coli bacteria or tap water. Worms were transferred into the center area and the number of worms in each area on the plate was visually monitored for seven hours with an Olympus stereo microscope. For mango diluted in E. coli, the percent of worms in the center of the 1% concentration plates ranged from 60% to 70% and the percent of worms in the center of the 100% concentration plates ranged from 10% to 60%. The worms exposed to 25% and 50% concentrations fell in a dose response pattern. For mango diluted in water, the percent of worms in the center of the 1% concentration plates ranged from 32% to 58% and the percent of worms in the center of the 100% concentration plates ranged from 10% to 60%. The 25% and 50% concentrations fell into a similar dose response pattern to the Mango diluted in E. coli. Crème Brûlée had similar results to Mango, however, the other flavors did not show as clear of a dose response pattern. For all of the individual ingredients, as well as a mock JUUL solution of the listed ingredients, the percent of worms in the center never fell below 60% across all of the concentrations of E. coli dilutions and water dilutions. This data suggests that the JUUL E-liquid has more severe results on C. elegans behavior than the listed individual ingredients of the product. The results vary among flavors, suggesting that the flavorings may be an important variable.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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