Enantiomer-specific effects of metconazole disrupt soil microbiota, gut homeostasis, and genomic responses of Eisenia fetida.

cis-1R,5S-MEZ causes more severe acute toxicity than cis-1S,5R-MEZ in the earthworm Eisenia fetida, linked to weaker detoxification and oxidative stress.

• Why it matters: Enantioselective effects of metconazole on soil and gut homeostasis are poorly understood, limiting assessment of environmental safety beyond racemic formulations.
• What they did: The study compared enantiomers in soil and earthworms, finding rac-MEZ dissipated faster than cis-MEZs, while cis-MEZs showed enantioselective toxicity; it also implicates CYP4V binding differences and oxidative stress markers (ROS, CAT, SOD, GST).
• The result: cis-1R,5S-MEZ is associated with ROS accumulation, antioxidant/detoxification enzyme disruption, and severe ecotoxic outcomes including DNA damage, heme metabolism disruption, and downregulation of genomic development pathways, implying higher cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity.

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