Evaluation of biological effects of graphene oxide using Drosophila

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives have attracted great interest because of their intriguing physical and chemical properties. An increasing phase of commercial production causes the presence of graphene in the environment and might pose a great threat to a wide range of living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, plants, invertebrates and mammals, including humans. In the present study, the graphene oxide (GO) at low doses was evaluated for its biological effects on larvae and the imago of Drosophila melanogaster. Oral administration of GO at concentrations of 0.02-1% has a beneficial effect on the developmental rate and hatching ability of larvae. Long-term administration of a low dose of GO extends Drosophila lifespan and significantly enhances resistance to environmental stresses. We also found that GO exposure led to a remarkable decrease in the level of hemolymph glucose, glycogen and triglycerides storage. These suggest about GO affects carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in adult Drosophila. These findings might provide a useful reference to assess the biological effects of GO, which could play an important role in a variety of graphene-based biomedical applications.