Safety Evaluation of TiO2 Nanoparticle-Based Sunscreen UV Filters on the Development and the Immunological State of the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Abstract

Sunscreens are emulsions of water and oil that contain filters capable of protecting against the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The widespread use of cosmetic products based on nanoparticulate UV filters has increased concerns regarding their safety and compatibility with both the environment and human health. In the present work, we evaluated the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2 NP)-based UV filters with three different surface coatings on the development and immunity of the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. A wide range of NP concentrations was analyzed, corresponding to different levels of dilution starting from the original cosmetic dispersion. Variations in surface coating, concentration, particle shape, and pre-dispersant medium (i.e., water or oil) influenced the embryonic development without producing a relevant developmental impairment. The most common embryonic abnormalities were related to the skeletal growth and the presence of a few cells, which were presumably involved in the particle uptake. Adult P. lividus immune cells exposed to silica-coated TiO2 NP-based filters showed a broad metabolic plasticity based on the biosynthesis of metabolites that mediate inflammation, phagocytosis, and antioxidant response. The results presented here highlight the biosafety of the TiO2 NP-based UV filters toward sea urchin, and the importance of developing safer-by-design sunscreens.

Amorphous and crystalline cerium(iv) phosphates: biocompatible ROS-scavenging sunscreens

“…Under certain conditions, however, these compounds can themselves have a negative effect on the skin, for example, as a result of free radicals generation, inflammatory responses and cancerogenic potential. 10–15 These materials are well-known as being photocytotoxic. 16,17…”

Finding Nano: Challenges Involved in Monitoring the Presence and Fate of Engineered Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Aquatic Environments

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“…Another challenge associated with the determination of Ti using ICP-MS is the substantial polyatomic spectral interference that can originate from both native components of the environmental media such as chlorine or calcium and the oxyacids used for particle digestion such as H 2 SO 4 . As summarised in Tables 3 and 4, previous studies have mainly considered and attempted to prevent isobaric interferences occurring for the most abundant isotope 48 Ti (73.98%) with 48 Ca (0.19%) or 32 S 16 O (95.04%) by measuring other stable Ti isotopes [123,124]. For example, the isotopes 47 Ti and 49 Ti with abundancies of 7.32% and 5.46% [123] were equally often considered in field studies.…”

On the application of 3d metals for C–H activation toward bioactive compounds: The key step for the synthesis of silver bullets

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