Nanoparticles are a cause for concern because of their potential toxic effects on human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the toxic effect of chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles (11.00±4.7 nm) on Drosophila melanogaster through the observation of hemolymph composition, DNA damage, larval survival and lifespan of flies. Chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation method. Drosophila larvaes and adults were exposed to 500 and 1000 ppm nanoparticles solution. After exposure, each type of larval hemocytes was recognized. Comet assay was performed to detect the DNA damage in the hemocytes. Also, the larval survival and lifespan of exposed flies were observed. Our results showed the toxic effect of the chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles through the increment of hemocytes, the emergence of lamellocytes, the presence of apoptotic hemocytes and the DNA damage detected by comet assay. In addition, nanoparticles produce decreasing of larval survival and shortening of the mean and maximum lifespan. The toxic effect the chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles is directly associated with 1000 ppm. No DNA damage was observed at 500 ppm.

Research on nanomaterial exposure-related health risks is still quite limited; this includes standardizing methods for measuring metals in living organisms. Thus, this study validated an atomic absorption spectrophotometry method to determine fertility and bioaccumulated iron content in Drosophila melanogaster flies after feeding them magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) dosed in a culture medium (100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg−1). Some NPs were also coated with chitosan to compare iron assimilation. Considering both accuracy and precision, results showed the method was optimal for concentrations greater than 20 mg L−1. Recovery values were considered optimum within the 95–105% range. Regarding fertility, offspring for each coated and non-coated NPs concentration decreased in relation to the control group. Flies exposed to 100 mg L−1 of coated NPs presented the lowest fertility level and highest bioaccumulation factor. Despite an association between iron bioaccumulation and NPs concentration, the 500 mg L−1 dose of coated and non-coated NPs showed similar iron concentrations to those of the control group. Thus, Drosophila flies’ fertility decreased after NPs exposure, while iron bioaccumulation was related to NPs concentration and coating. We determined this method can overcome sample limitations and biological matrix-associated heterogeneity, thus allowing for bioaccumulated iron detection regardless of exposure to coated or non-coated magnetite NPs, meaning this protocol could be applicable with any type of iron NPs.

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Currently, resistance to antibiotics has become a problem for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the aqueous extract of Palo santo (Burseragraveolens), for its biocide action, in order to determine its antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Different concentrations of nanoparticles (100 until1000 ppm) were evaluated at contact times of 1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes for 1500 and 15000 CFU/mL. Additionally, to determine effectiveness, disc diffusion tests using various concentrations of nanoparticles (500-1000 ppm) were performed on S.aureus and K. pneumoniae. According to the results of antimicrobial effect for E.coli, the effectiveness of nanoparticles can be established at all contact times for 1500 CFU from 800 ppm and for 15000 CFU from 400 ppm. With S.aureus, total inhibition was showed from 800 ppm in 1500 CFU at 5 minutes of contact and between 500-1000 ppm with 15000 CFU at minute one. S. aureus and K.pneumoniae tests showed sensitivity with nanoparticles. The average of susceptibility for S.aureus had the lowest inhibition between 500-600 ppm and the highest at 700-800 ppm. The average susceptibility for K. pneumoniae is more constant in terms of inhibition at 600-1000 ppm. This study demonstrated the antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized under the specified conditions.

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