Effects of Tarragon Hydrodistillate and Essential Oil on Aquatic Ecosystems

Tarragon extracts, especially from Artemisia dracunculus, have shown their potential as natural pesticides and can harm aquatic ecosystems. In addition, waste from tarragon essential oil production can also contribute to aquatic pollution if not properly managed. In this study, a hydrodistillate and a commercial tarragon essential oil were considered to evaluate their effects on aquatic ecosystems. A growth inhibition test was performed using Lemna minor to evaluate the potential ecotoxicity of tarragon extracts, and a biochemical test was performed to investigate the potential effects of the lowest volume of oil, which did not cause any visible impact on this organism. The results showed that the hydrodistillate did not show toxic effects on L. minor, but the essential oil demonstrated potential ecotoxicity, with volumes of 0.5 µL and above leading to percentage reductions in frond numbers of 50% and higher. The biochemical assay revealed no significant differences between the negative control and the lowest volume of oil tested, suggesting the absence of biochemical effects at low exposure levels. The effects of compounds identified at higher concentrations in the tarragon extracts on other aquatic organisms were predicted using the admetSAR3.0 tool, and potential toxicity against numerous aquatic organisms was emphasized, particularly for cis-beta-ocimene, trans-beta-ocimene, and caryophyllene oxide. These findings emphasize the need for careful consideration of both the application dose and disposal practices of tarragon-based products.