Effects of sodium cyclamate on fertility, development, and locomotor abilities of Drosophila melanogaster

To investigate the impact of sodium cyclamate on the fecundity, development, and locomotor abilities, this study using Drosophila melanogaster medium with varying concentrations of sodium cyclamate, the pupation time and total pupal count within a 5 d period were assessed as indicators of reproductive capacity. Additionally, the study analyzed the initiation of eclosion, the total number of emerged flies within 5 d, and the weight and body length of drosophila to elucidate the influence of sodium cyclamate on fruit fly development. The changes of locomotor abilities were evaluated in climbing index. The results revealed that a 1 mg/mL sodium cyclamate culture medium enhanced reproductive capacity, positively influenced the growth and development of Drosophila melanogaster, while reducing locomotor abilities. However, these effects did not reach statistical significant level. Conversely, sodium cyclamate concentrations ranging from 2 to 8 mg/mL exert inhibitory effects on reproduction, development, and locomotor abilities. The inhibitory effects became more pronounced with increasing concentration. Compared with 0, sodium cyclamate culture medium with concentrations ranging from 4 to 8 mg/mL exhibited significant differences in the reproductive, development and locomotor abilities(t=2.622 to 5.000, P < 0.05). Specifically, the 4 mg/mL sodium cyclamate culture medium led to a highly significant difference in the weight of female Drosophila melanogaster and the locomotor abilities of male Drosophila melanogaster (t=5.831 and 3.801, P < 0.01). The 8 mg/mL sodium cyclamate culture medium resulted in highly significant differences in the weight, length of female fruit flies, as well as the locomotor abilities of both female and male Drosophila melanogaster (t=9.970, 3.798, 8.994 and 10.451, P < 0.01). The results show that sodium cyclamate exhibit discernible effects on the reproduction, development, and locomotor abilities of Drosophila melanogaster. Caution should be exercised in their application in food production, and consumers should pay attention to the sweetener content for food safety considerations.