Abstract
BackgroundAscorbic acid (AA) is a micronutrient essential for the mechanisms of reproduction, growth, and defense in fish. However, the biosynthesis of this micronutrient does not occur in fish, so it must be supplied with food. A difficulty is that plain AA is unstable, due to the effects of light, high temperature, and oxygen, among others. The use of nanoencapsulation may provide protection and preserve the physicochemical characteristics of AA for extended periods of time, decreasing losses due to environmental factors.MethodThis study evaluated the protective effect of nanoencapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles (chitosan and polycaprolactone) against AA degradation. Evaluation was made of the physicochemical stability of the nanoformulations over time, as well as the toxicological effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio), considering behavior, development, and enzymatic activity. For the statistical tests, ANOVA (two-way, significance of p < 0.05) was used.ResultsBoth nanoparticle formulations showed high encapsulation efficiency and good physicochemical stability during 90 days. Chitosan (CS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with AA had mean diameters of 314 and 303 nm and polydispersity indexes of 0.36 and 0.28, respectively. Both nanosystems provided protection against degradation of AA exposed to an oxidizing agent, compared to plain AA. Total degradation of AA was observed after 7, 20, and 480 min for plain AA, the CS nanoparticle formulation, and the PCL nanoparticle formulation, respectively. For zebrafish larvae, the LC50 values were 330.7, 57.4, and 179.6 mg/L for plain AA, the CS nanoparticle formulation, and the PCL nanoparticle formulation, respectively. In toxicity assays using AA at a concentration of 50 mg/L, both types of nanoparticles loaded with AA showed lower toxicity towards the development of the zebrafish, compared to plain AA at the same concentration. Although decreased activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) did not affect the swimming behavior of zebrafish larvae in the groups evaluated, it may have been associated with the observed morphometric changes, such as curvature of the tail.ConclusionsThis study showed that the use of nanosystems is promising for fish nutritional supplementation in aquaculture. In particular, PCL nanoparticles loaded with AA seemed to be most promising, due to higher protection against AA degradation, as well as lower toxicity to zebrafish, compared to the chitosan nanoparticles. The use of nanotechnology opens new perspectives for aquaculture, enabling the reduction of feed nutrient losses, leading to faster fish growth and improved sustainability of this activity.Graphic
Highlights
PCL nanoparticles loaded with ascorbic acid (AA) seemed to be most promising, due to higher protection against AA degradation, as well as lower toxicity to zebrafish, compared to the chitosan nanoparticles
The results showed that the chitosan nanoparticles had toxic effects in the embryos, but were less toxic when combined with ascorbic acid, which led to fewer morphological abnormalities and a higher hatching rate, due to the controlled release of AA from the NPs
In vitro studies showed that both systems provided sustained release of AA, while oxidation tests showed that the PCL nanoparticles provided longer protection
Summary
With the global population predicted to increase by approximately 30% to 9.7 billion in 2050, one of the greatest challenges currently facing the world is food security [1]. Aquaculture can actively contribute to ensuring an adequate food supply, providing high quality protein to feed the growing world population, especially in developing countries [2]. The Blue Growth initiative aims at the sustainable global development of aquaculture, enabling the sector to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, especially Goals 2 and 14. Goal 2 concerns the achievement of zero hunger, food security, and improved nutrition, while Goal 14 aims at the conservation and sustainable development of the oceans, seas, and marine resources [5, 6]. The use of nanoencapsulation may provide protection and preserve the physicochemical characteristics of AA for extended periods of time, decreasing losses due to environmental factors
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