Effects of Nanometer Sized Silver Materials on Biological Toxicity During Zebrafish Embryogenesis

Abstract

Commercial nanometer sized silver is widely used for its antibacterial effect; however, nanoparticles may also have ecotoxicological effects after being discharged into water. Nanometer sized silver can flow into aquatic environments, where it can exert a variety of physiologically effects in living organisms, including fish. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nanometer sized silver on the development of zebrafish embryos, analyze the properties of commercial nanometer sized silver and define the toxicity relationship between embryogenesis and hatched flies. The commercial nanometer sized silver was analyzed in the Ag + ion form. The hatch rate decreased in the nano-silver exposed groups (10 and 20 ppt); furthermore, the hatched flies had an abnormal notochord, weak heart beat, damaged eyes and curved tail. The expression of the Sel N1 gene decreased in the nano-silver exposed groups, and the catalase activities of the exposed groups increased relative to those in the control group. Therefore, the Ag + ions in commercial nanometer sized silver could accumulate in aquatic environments and seriously damage the development of zebrafish embryos.

Aggregation Study of Ag-TiO<sub>2</sub> Composites

“…The TiO 2 particles present no antibacterial activity. The test was performed on dark and it is reported that TiO 2 particles in dark condition present no antibacterial activity [12,15] which is consistent with our results. The six composites show antibacterial activity without light.…”

“…It had been reported that photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties of TiO 2 can be improved by growing particles of a noble metal like Ag, Au or Cu over its surface or inside a matrix [12][13][14]. Composites of silver coatings over titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in products to produce antibacterial activity [15].…”

Degradable Carbon Dots with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity

“…However, these antimicrobial nanoparticles always possess high biological toxicity and hard degradation, causing a series of secondary pollution and threat. For instance, some nanometer materials exhibit significant cytotoxicity to human and animal cells, − so much so that they can damage the development of zebrafish embryo . For the hard-degradable nanomaterial, they can alter the bacterial community structure in a dose-dependent fashion, and influence taxa associated with ecosystem processes of N 2 fixation, methane oxidation, and complex C decomposition .…”

Surface Structure of Silver Nanoparticles as a Model for Understanding the Oxidative Dissolution of Silver Ions

“…AgNPs have been shown to inhibit the growth of microorganisms − and are potentially harmful to a wide variety of soil biota, − plants, and aquatic organisms. , Although the mechanisms of AgNP toxicity are not yet fully understood, there are strong indications that the release of ionic silver (Ag + ) is a highly relevant factor in this respect , and that the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a role in this.…”