Nanoparticles of Cerium Dioxide and Pristine (Unmodified) Fullerene C60 Protect Living Cells against Adverse Environmental Exposure: Does it Work?

Abstract

We believe that unmodified hydrated C60 fullerene (C60FWS) and nanocrystalline cerium dioxide (NCD) are promising for biological research. It is knowns that these nanoparticles protect living cells from damaging environmental factors such as radioactive and ultraviolet radiation, temperature, hypoxia, toxic substances, etc. However, little attention has been paid in scientific reports to the use and study of these nanoparticles as possible adaptogens. In our studies, we tried to protect the culture of cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis with C60 and NCD from adverse conditions. The choice of Spirulina platensis is due to its sensitivity to adverse environmental factors. The results obtained show that the absence of toxic effects of C60 and NCD of selected concentrations on the Spirulina platensis culture has been found. Nanoparticles C60 and NCD maintained the culture of Spirulina platensis for at least 4 weeks in the absence of nutrients, light, low pH storage conditions and low temperature. Cyanobacteria stored for 1–4 weeks in distilled water with nanoparticles showed increased proliferative activity compared to samples stored at the same time in the standard Zarrouk’s nutrient medium.
 Keywords: fullerene C60, nanocrystalline cerium dioxide, Spirulina platensis, adaptogens.