Integrated transcriptomic and biochemical analysis of β-ionone induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos

β-ionone, a cyclic isoprenoid and structural analogue of β-carotene's end ring, is ubiquitous in aquatic systems. However, the developmental impacts of β-ionone on aquatic organisms remain largely unexplored. This study investigated the effects of β-ionone exposure (0, 189, 945, and 1890 μg/L) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic development from 2 to 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Our results demonstrate that β-ionone induces dose-dependent developmental toxicity characterized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and increased apoptosis. Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis identified activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway as the primary mechanistic basis for this toxicity. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding interactions between β-ionone and AhR (ΔG = -10 kcal/mol), suggesting direct receptor activation. Further validation demonstrated that β-ionone activates transcription of AhR target genes while significantly enhancing Phase I and Phase II metabolic enzyme activities. Our findings suggest that the AhR signaling pathway may play a critical role in mediating β-ionone-induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish. Given these effects, β-ionone warrants classification as a potential environmental contaminant requiring further ecological risk assessment.