Influence of nanoplastic surface charge on eco-corona formation, aggregation and toxicity to freshwater zooplankton

Controlled protein mediated aggregation of polystyrene nanoplastics does not reduce toxicity towards Daphnia magna

“…D. magna themselves may induce particle aggregation during the incubation with the PS-NH 2 . 34,36 Therefore, the PS-NH 2 particles were stabilized with albumin before presented to the D. magna. The diameter of the albumin coated particles was about 10 nm longer than uncoated particles, indicating that a monolayer of albumin was formed.…”

“…This is interesting as positively charged model polystyrene nanoparticles are reported to be more toxic than negatively charged ones, 29,34,36 although the effect of the interactions differ. Another outcome from the interactions with biomolecules is that nanoparticles will be part of larger aggregates, [34][35][36] which possibly can diminish the nano-size properties. However, little is known on how aggregation of nanoplastics changes size dependent effects.…”

“…[26][27][28][29] The toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics are strongly size-dependent and nanoplastics between around 20 to 50 nm are often found to be more toxic than larger sizes. 22,[29][30][31][32] When entering a natural environment, the nanoparticles are interacting with the surrounding biomolecules forming large heteroaggregates, [33][34][35][36] which may affect the toxicity of the nanoparticle. 33,34,36 The interactions change the presented surface chemistry as the particles are covered with various biomolecules.…”

“…22,[29][30][31][32] When entering a natural environment, the nanoparticles are interacting with the surrounding biomolecules forming large heteroaggregates, [33][34][35][36] which may affect the toxicity of the nanoparticle. 33,34,36 The interactions change the presented surface chemistry as the particles are covered with various biomolecules. This is interesting as positively charged model polystyrene nanoparticles are reported to be more toxic than negatively charged ones, 29,34,36 although the effect of the interactions differ.…”

“…33,34,36 The interactions change the presented surface chemistry as the particles are covered with various biomolecules. This is interesting as positively charged model polystyrene nanoparticles are reported to be more toxic than negatively charged ones, 29,34,36 although the effect of the interactions differ. Another outcome from the interactions with biomolecules is that nanoparticles will be part of larger aggregates, [34][35][36] which possibly can diminish the nano-size properties.…”