Do the joint effects of size, shape and ecocorona influence the attachment and physical eco(cyto)toxicity of nanoparticles to algae?

Abstract

We systematically investigated how the combinations of size, shape and the natural organic matter (NOM)-ecocorona of gold (Au) engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) influence the attachment of the particles to algae and physical toxicity to the cells. Spherical (10, 60 and 100 nm), urchinshaped (60 nm), rod-shaped (10 Â 45, 40 Â 60 and 50 Â 100 nm), and wire-shaped (75 Â 500, 75 Â 3000 and 75 Â 6000 nm) citrate-coated and NOM-coated Au-ENPs were used. Among the spherical particles only the spherical 10 nm Au-ENPs caused membrane damage to algae. Only the rod-shaped 10 Â 45 nm induced membrane damage among the rod-shaped Au-ENPs. Wireshaped Au-ENPs caused no membrane damage to the algae. NOM ecocorona decreased the membrane damage effects of spherical 10 nm and rod-shaped 10 Â 45 nm ENPs. The spherical Au-ENPs were mostly loosely attached to the cells compared to other shapes, whereas the wireshaped Au-ENPs were mostly strongly attached compared to particles with other shapes. NOM ecocorona determined the strength of Au-ENPs attachment to the cell wall, leading to the formation of loose rather than strong attachment of Au-ENPs to the cells. After removal of the loosely and strongly attached Au-ENPs, some particles remained anchored to the surface of the algae. The highest concentration was detected for spherical 10 nm Au-ENPs followed by rodshaped 10 Â 45 nm Au-ENPs, while the lowest concentration was observed for the wire-shaped Au-ENPs. The combined effect of shape, size, and ecocorona controls the Au-ENPs attachment and physical toxicity to cells.

Comparative Effects of Particle Sizes of Cobalt Nanoparticles to Nine Biological Activities

“…The cell wall, composed of carbohydrates (cellulose) linked to form a multi-sheath rigid complex and proteins, may be an initial site for interactions (direct effect) and a barrier to the intake of NPs into algal cells, which may vary depending on the structure [38]. Algae cell walls are capable of sieving out NPs in the environment, and there is a possibility that only particles smaller than 20 nm are likely to enter the cytoplasm after passing through the cell membrane, and continuously interact with the phospholipid bilayer, damaging the membrane structure [14,37]. The higher inhibition of the smaller Co-NPs (type A) compared to the larger Co-NPs (type B) on algal growth in this study may have been due to differences in the passage through cell walls.…”

“…For instance, the toxicity of Co-NPs may be characterized either by their direct uptake by cells or by their solubilized metal ions in the media [13]. Monikh et al [14] observed the combined effect of shape, size, and ecocorona controls the Au-NP's attachment and physical toxicity to cells. The possible toxic effects caused by NPs include synthesis of inflammatory mediators, damage to cell membranes, damage to DNA, and altered cellular redox balance toward oxidative stress, which causes abnormal cell functioning or cell death [15].…”

Evaluation of the Effects of Particle Sizes of Silver Nanoparticles on Various Biological Systems

“…Small silver NPs produce higher reactivity and show higher genotoxicity [25]. Monikh et al [26] observed that the combined effect (size, shape, and ecocorona) also controls the attachment and physical toxicity to organisms. Although the toxic mechanisms of NPs are not precisely understood or many contradictory findings have been reported, the commonly proposed mechanisms involve either solubilized metal ions in the solution or direct uptake by cells, followed by DNA damage, the deactivation of cellular enzymes, the disruption of cell membrane, and altered cellular redox balance due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [6,7,[27][28][29].…”

Perspectives and challenges of micro/nanoplastics‐induced toxicity with special reference to phytotoxicity

“…Several attributes of plastics, such as size, shape, incubation time, and the tested concentrations impart toxicity to the nature (Lei et al, 2018;Monikh et al, 2019;Qiao et al, 2019;Wang et al, 2019;Zhu et al, 2019). (a) It is reported that the size of the plastic particles negatively correlated with their toxicological potential; i.e.…”