Abstract
Silver and gold nanoparticles are promising tools for medical and industrial applications; therefore, their ecotoxicity should be carefully examined. There are many publications that discuss their effects at high concentrations on various organisms, while the effects of low doses have not been sufficiently investigated. In this paper, the effects of low concentrations of silver (12 nm) and gold (4.7 nm) nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol on Spirulina platensis biomass growth, biochemical composition, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The spirulina cultivation medium was supplemented with nanoparticles in the concentration range of 0.025–0.5 µM. The given concentrations stimulated spirulina biomass, but the content of proteins, carbohydrates, and auxiliary pigments was insignificantly affected by the presence of nanoparticles in the cultivation medium. Gold nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.5 µM produced a pronounced effect on the lipid content. Transmission electron microscope images demonstrated that the nanoparticles penetrate inside the cells and cause ultrastructural changes. The nanoparticles were characterized using several well-known techniques. The results confirmed a negative effect of low concentrations of metal nanoparticles on spirulina. This effect could be indiscernible when studying the biomass viability, but determination of the ultrastructure of the cell and the biochemical composition of the biomass could reveal it.
Highlights
Engineered nanoparticles are increasingly used in biotechnology, medicine, pharmacy, ecology, electronics, agriculture, the food industry, cosmetology, and other industries due to their advantageous properties inherent to their very small sizes; most of them have already been marketed for years [1,2].It is estimated that the current global market for nanomaterials generates production volumes from 300,000 tons up to 1.6 million tons [2]
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated AgNPs and AuNPs at low concentrations (0.025–0.5 μM) on the growth, biochemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Spirulina platensis biomass during its cultivation in a closed system
The zeta potential values determined for the analyzed nanoparticles constituted 12.1 mV for PEG-AgNPs and 27.2 mV for PEG-AuNPs, indicating the high stability of the colloidal system
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles are increasingly used in biotechnology, medicine, pharmacy, ecology, electronics, agriculture, the food industry, cosmetology, and other industries due to their advantageous properties inherent to their very small sizes; most of them have already been marketed for years [1,2].It is estimated that the current global market for nanomaterials generates production volumes from 300,000 tons up to 1.6 million tons [2]. AgNPs are used in textile engineering, electronics, optics, and medical devices, as well as in different consumer products (air sanitizer sprays, pillows, respirators, socks, wet wipes, detergents, soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, washing machines, etc.) [8,9,10]. Another aspect of AgNPs application relates to their activity as biosensors and regulators of metabolism in plants [11,12]. In 2009, the annual worldwide AgNPs production was 500 t, and it is expected to reach approximately 800 t by 2025 [4]
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