<i>In vitro</i> test systems supporting the development of improved pest control methods: a case study with chemical mixtures and bivalve biofoulers

<p>Using the bivalve macrofouler <i>Corbicula fluminea</i>, the suitability of <i>in vitro</i> testing as a stepping stone towards the improvement of control methods based on chemical mixtures was addressed in this study. <i>In vitro</i> cholinesterase (ChE) activity inhibition following single exposure of <i>C. fluminea</i> tissue to four model chemicals (the organophosphates dimethoate and dichlorvos, copper and sodium dodecyl phosphate [SDS]) was first assessed. Consequently, mixtures of dimethoate with copper and dichlorvos with SDS were tested and modelled; mixtures with ChE revealed synergistic interactions for both chemical pairs. These synergic combinations were subsequently validated <i>in vivo</i> and the increased control potential of these selected combinations was verified, with gains of up to 50% in <i>C. fluminea</i> mortality relative to corresponding single chemical treatments. Such consistency supports the suitability of using time- and cost-effective surrogate testing platforms to assist the development of biofouling control strategies incorporating mixtures.</p