Abstract
Noble metals nanoparticles (NPs) and metal oxide NPs are widely used in different fields of application and commercial products, exposing living organisms to their potential adverse effects. Recent evidences suggest their presence in the aquifers water and consequently in drinking water. In this work, we have carefully synthesized four types of NPs, namely, silver and gold NPs (Ag NPs and Au NPs) and silica and titanium dioxide NPs (SiO2 NPs and TiO2 NPs) having a similar size and negatively charged surfaces. The synthesis of Ag NPs and Au NPs was carried out by colloidal route using silver nitrate (AgNO3) and tetrachloroauric (III) acid (HAuCl4) while SiO2 NPs and TiO2 NPs were achieved by ternary microemulsion and sol-gel routes, respectively. Once the characterization of NPs was carried out in order to assess their physico-chemical properties, their impact on living cells was studied. We used the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2), known as the best representative intestinal epithelial barrier model to understand the effects triggered by NPs through ingestion. Then, we moved to explore how water contamination caused by NPs can be lowered by the ability of three species of aquatic moss, namely, Leptodictyum riparium, Vesicularia ferriei, and Taxiphyllum barbieri, to absorb them. The experiments were conducted using two concentrations of NPs (100 μM and 500 Μm as metal content) and two time points (24 h and 48 h), showing a capture rate dependent on the moss species and NPs type. Then, the selected moss species, able to actively capture NPs, appear as a powerful tool capable to purify water from nanostructured materials, and then, to reduce the toxicity associated to the ingestion of contaminated drinking water.
Highlights
Introduction iationsThe widespread use of inorganic nanomaterials, namely, metal (Ag NPs and Au NPs) and metal oxide NPs (SiO2 NPs and TiO2 NPs) in a broad range of commercial products [1], such as paints [2], cosmetics [3], medicine [4,5], sensors [6,7], food additives [8,9,10], and sunscreens [11,12], highlighted the problem of their behavior and fate in several environmental compartments [13]
We tested a potential biocompatible and eco-friendly alternative to the removal of contaminants in drinking water. This is possible thanks to the use of three different aquatic mosses that have been tested for their ability to absorb four different kinds of NPs (Ag NPs, Au NPs, SiO2 NPs, and TiO2 NPs) synthesized with likewise different techniques
These NPs have been shown to be toxic to the intestinal epithelial barrier model, which is the most exposed target to NPs contained in drinking water
Summary
Introduction iationsThe widespread use of inorganic nanomaterials, namely, metal (Ag NPs and Au NPs) and metal oxide NPs (SiO2 NPs and TiO2 NPs) in a broad range of commercial products [1], such as paints [2], cosmetics [3], medicine [4,5], sensors [6,7], food additives [8,9,10], and sunscreens [11,12], highlighted the problem of their behavior and fate in several environmental compartments [13]. The unique physico-chemical properties, due to the high surface-tovolume ratio, make NPs very reactive materials with respect to the bulk counterpart [14,15]. Their toxicological profile is still not fully understood. The production and applications of nanomaterials, as well as the transformation in waste of different products containing them [16], lead to the release of NPs into all ecosystems including freshwater, marine water, soil, and atmosphere [17]. Nanomaterials can be found in the drinking water sources
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