Risk Assessment Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Quantification and Ecological Risk Assessment of Colloidal Fullerenes Nanoparticles in Sediments by Ultrasonic-Assisted Pressurized Liquid Extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Fullerenes engineered nanomaterials are regarded as emerging environmental contaminants. This is as their widespread application in many consumer products, as well as natural release, increases their environmental concentration. In this work, an ultrasonic-assisted pressurized liquid extraction (UAPLE) method followed by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible detector (HPLC-UV-vis) was developed for extraction and determination of fullerene in sediments. The method was validated and found to be suitable for environmental risk assessment. Thereafter, the method was used for the determination of fullerene (C61-PCBM) in sediment samples collected from Umgeni River, South Africa. The current method allows for adequate sensitivity within the linear range of 0.01–4 µg g−1, method limit detection of 0.0094 µg g−1 and recoveries ranged between 67–84%. All the parameters were determined from fortified sediments samples. The measured environmental concentration (MEC) of fullerene in the sediment samples ranged from not detected to 30.55 µg g−1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence and ecological risk assessment of carbonaceous fullerene nanoparticles in African sediments and biosolids.

Dissolution Dynamics and Accumulation of Ag Nanoparticles in a Microcosm Consisting of a Soil–Lettuce–Rhizosphere Bacterial Community

Assessment of chronic impact of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in soil ecosystems is a necessity for ensuring safe and sustainable application. NPs affect plants and their associated microbial life, while the plants and their associated microbiota affect the NPs’ fate. Here, we measured the available Ag pool (determined as diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-extractable Ag) in AgNP-amended sandy loam soil (1, 10, and 50 mg Ag per kg of soil) over a period of 63 d with and without lettuce. The associated impacts on soil pH, Ag accumulation in lettuce, and the responses of the rhizosphere bacterial community were determined. We found that the addition of AgNPs significantly increased the soil pH from 7.70 to 7.87 after a short-term (7 d) incubation. Noteworthily, the extractability of Ag in AgNP-amended soil was concentration-dependent and changed over time because of their continuous dissolution and uptake by plants. Ag uptake and upward translocation in lettuce positively correlated with the extractable Ag content in soil. Furthermore, a long-term (63 d) exposure to 50 mg/kg of AgNPs altered the structure and composition of the rhizosphere bacterial community potentially by regulation of bacterial groups associated with element (e.g., N and S) cycling and stress tolerance. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the dynamic dissolution of AgNPs in sandy loam soil plays an important role in influencing the overall Ag bioavailability of the NPs in plants. The enhanced effects of AgNPs on the alterations in the rhizosphere bacterial community highlight that the long time-resolved dynamics of NP exposure should be taken into consideration for accurate ecological risk assessment of NPs in the soil ecosystem.

A generic model based on the properties of nanoparticles and cells for predicting cellular uptake

Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in industry and technology due to their small size and versatility, which makes them easy to enter organisms and pose threats to human and ecological health. Given the particularity and complex structure of NPs, statistical models alone cannot reliably predict uptake.Hence, we developed a generic model for predicting the cellular uptake of NPs with organic coatings, based on physicochemical interactions underlying uptake. The model utilized the concentration, experimental conditions and properties of NPs viz. size, surface coating and coverage. These parameters were converted to surface energy components and surface potentials, and combined with the components and potential for a cell membrane. For NPs uptake, we constructed energetic profiles and barriers for adsorption and permeation onto/through cell membranes. The relationships derived were compared to experimental uptake data.The model provided accurate and robust uptake estimates for neutrally charged unhalogenated NPs and six different cell types. We envision that the model provides a reference for cellular accumulation of neutral NPs and (ecological/human) risk assessment of NPs or microparticles.

Interaction Effect of EDTA, Salinity, and Oxide Nanoparticles on Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas euryale.

The interaction effects of organic ligand ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and oxide nanoparticles (magnetite Fe3O4-NPs and copper CuO-NPs) were investigated during a 72 h period on two green algal species—Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under freshwater conditions and Chlamydomonas euryale under saltwater conditions. Fe3O4-NPs had larger agglomerates and very low solubility. CuO-NPs, having smaller agglomerates and higher solubility, were more toxic than Fe3O4-NPs in freshwater conditions for similar mass-based concentrations, especially at 72 h under 100 mg L−1. Furthermore, the effect of EDTA increased nanoparticle solubility, and the salinity caused a decrease in their solubility. Our results on C. euryale showed that the increase in salinity to 32 g L−1 caused the formation of larger nanoparticle agglomerates, leading to a decrease in the toxicity impact on algal cells. In addition, EDTA treatments induced a toxicity effect on both freshwater and saltwater Chlamydomonas species, by altering the nutrient uptake of algal cells. However, C. euryale was more resistant to EDTA toxicity than C. reinhardtii. Moreover, nanoparticle treatments caused a reduction in EDTA toxicity, especially for CuO-NPs. Therefore, the toxicity impact caused by these environmental factors should be considered in risk assessment for metallic nanoparticles.

The effect of ZnO nanoparticles on rabbit spermatozoa motility and viability parameters in vitro.

Zinc plays a very important role in various biological activities of the body. Multifaceted role of zinc is also known in testes development, spermatogenesis, capacitation and has effect on spermatozoa motility. On the other hand, the growing industry of nanotechnology has created reasonable interest of the risk assessment for nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on rabbit spermatozoa. Fresh semen was collected from sexually mature New Zealand rabbits. Experimental groups were prepared by diluting semen with ZnO nanoparticles in seven different concentrations (6–391 mg/mL). The experimental groups were compared with control group. Semen was assessed using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) at intervals of 0, 1, 2 and 3 h of incubation. The mitochondrial toxicity assay (MTT) assay was used to determine cell viability. The results of monitored motility parameters in experimental groups showed a decreasing trend during whole experiment. Significant decrease (P < 0.001) of motility and progressive motility was observed after 3 h of incubation in samples cultured with higher ZnO nanoparticles in comparison to the control group. After 3 h of incubation, viability of rabbit spermatozoa showed slightly increased values in group with the lowest concentration of ZnO nanoparticles, but in other groups viability showed non-significant decrease compared to control. Similar tendency was detected for spermatozoa membrane integrity. These original data show the negative dose–dependent effect of ZnO nanoparticles on spermatozoa motility and viability parameters.

Impact of metal nanoparticles on the structure and function of metabolic enzymes

The widespread use of nanoparticles raises many serious concerns about the safety and environmental impact of nanoparticles. Therefore, risk assessments of specific nanoparticles in occupational and environmental exposure are essential before their large-scale production and applications, especially in medicine and for usage in household items. In this study, the effects of five different metal nanoparticles on the structure, stability, and function of four metabolic enzymes were evaluated using various biophysical techniques. Our results show that Cu nanoparticles exhibited the most significant adverse effects on the structures, stability, and activities of all the metabolic enzymes. Zn nanoparticles caused moderate adverse effects on these enzymes. The rest of the metal (Al, Fe, and Ni) nanoparticles had a relatively lower impact on the metabolic enzymes. Our data indicated that Cu nanoparticles promote metal-catalyzed disulfide bond formation in these proteins. In summary, some metal nanoparticles can cause adverse effects on the structure, function, and stability of metabolic enzymes. In addition, metal nanoparticles may affect protein homeostasis in the cytosol or extracellular fluids.

Recent Patents, Regulatory Issues, and Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Neuronal Disorders.

Form last few decades, nanoparticles have witnessed breakthroughs in the treatment of neurological disorders due to their unique physiochemical properties, which make them an effective drug delivery system. However, there is not much information available on the toxicity of nanoparticles in neuronal disorders. The toxic effect of nanoparticles on brain disorders and their regulatory issues are the primary concerns of the healthcare industry. A strategical literature search was performed on various bibliographic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Medline, Google Patent, Derwent Innovation, and Orbit Intelligence for retrieval of peer-reviewed articles and patents on regulatory issues and toxicity of nanoparticles in neuronal disorders for last decade. The relevant hits of articles and patents were analyzed, and citation search for the relevant documents was carried out. The literature documents have been summarized regarding the existing regulatory issues and toxicity of nanoparticles on neuronal disorders with a focus on the detailed mechanism of the developmental toxicity of nanoparticles. The focus of this report is to emphasize the negative effects of nanoparticle on neuronal disorders, which may partially contribute to the management of toxicity of nanoparticles. Although nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties that explain the broad range of application for the central nervous system, they can also manifest neurotoxic effects due to cell necrosis, generation of free radicals, immune responses and neuroinflammation. Thus, this review highlights risk assessment, safety regulations and regulatory guidelines of nanoparticles, which may reduce adverse reactions in humans and animals.

Antimicrobial activity and toxicological risk assessment of silver nanoparticles synthesized using an eco-friendly method with Gloeophyllum striatum

Recently, nanomaterials synthesized ecologically using microorganisms have attracted much interest. In the present study, the ability of Gloeophyllum striatum to synthesize silver nanoparticles is described for the first time. Nanoparticles were formed in an eco-friendly extracellular manner and characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, MADLS and SEM techniques. The obtained nanoparticles showed excellent activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The MIC values for gram-negative bacteria were 15 µM, while for gram-positive strains they reached 30 µM. The haemolytic and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles towards mammalian cells were also determined. The addition of AgNPs at the concentrations above 30 µM caused 50% haemolysis of red blood cells after they 24-hour incubation. A decrease in the viability of fibroblasts by over 50% was also found in the samples treated with nanoparticles at the concentrations above 30 µM. The ecotoxicological risk of silver nanoparticles was assessed using A. franciscana and D. magna crustaceans as well as L. sativum plants. The EC50 values for A. franciscana and D. magna were 61.97 and 0.275 µM, respectively. An about 20% reduction in the length of L. sativum shoots and roots was noted after the treatment with AgNPs at the concentration of 100 µM.

Adverse Outcome Pathway Development for Assessment of Lung Carcinogenicity by Nanoparticles.

Lung cancer, one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer, is in some cases associated with exposure to certain types of particles. With the rise of nanotechnology, there is concern that some engineered nanoparticles may be among such particles. In the absence of epidemiological evidence, assessment of nanoparticle carcinogenicity is currently performed on a time-consuming case-by-case basis, relying mainly on animal experiments. Non-animal alternatives exist, including a few validated cell-based methods accepted for regulatory risk assessment of nanoparticles. Furthermore, new approach methodologies (NAMs), focused on carcinogenic mechanisms and capable of handling the increasing numbers of nanoparticles, have been developed. However, such alternative methods are mainly applied as weight-of-evidence linked to generally required animal data, since challenges remain regarding interpretation of the results. These challenges may be more easily overcome by the novel Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework, which provides a basis for validation and uptake of alternative mechanism-focused methods in risk assessment. Here, we propose an AOP for lung cancer induced by nanosized foreign matter, anchored to a selection of 18 standardized methods and NAMs for in silico- and in vitro-based integrated assessment of lung carcinogenicity. The potential for further refinement of the AOP and its components is discussed in relation to available nanosafety knowledge and data. Overall, this perspective provides a basis for development of AOP-aligned alternative methods-based integrated testing strategies for assessment of nanoparticle-induced lung cancer.

Translating nanoparticle dosimetry from conventional in vitro systems to occupational inhalation exposures

As encouraged by Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century, researchers increasingly apply high-throughput in vitro approaches to identify and characterize nanoparticle hazards, including conventional aqueous cell culture systems to assess respiratory hazards. Translating nanoparticle dose from conventional toxicity testing systems to relevant human exposures remains a major challenge for assessing occupational risk of nanoparticle exposures. Here, we explored existing computational tools and data available to translate nanoparticle dose metrics from cellular test systems to inhalation exposures of silver nanoparticles in humans. We used the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) Model to predict nanoparticle deposition of humans exposed to 20 and 110 nm silver nanoparticles at 0.9 μg/m3 over an 8 h period, the proposed National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL). MPPD predicts 8.1 and 3.7 μg of silver deposited in an 8 h period for 20 and 110 nm nanoparticles, respectively, with 20 nm particles displaying nearly 11-fold higher total surface area deposited. Peak deposited nanoparticle concentrations occurred more proximal in the pulmonary tract compared to mass deposition patterns (generation 4 vs. generations 20–21, respectively) due to regional differences in lung lining fluid volumes. Assuming 0.4% nanoparticle dissolution by mass measured in previous studies predicted peak concentrations of silver ions in cells of 1.06 and 0.89 μg/mL for 20 and 110 nm particles, respectively. Both predicted concentrations are below the measured toxic threshold of 1.7 μg/mL of silver ions in cells from in vitro assessments. Assuming 4% dissolution by mass predicted 10-fold higher silver concentrations in tissues, peaking at 10.6 and 8.9 μg/mL, for 20 and 110 nm nanoparticles respectively, exceeding the observed in vitro toxic threshold and highlighting the importance and sensitivity of dissolution rates. Overall, this approach offers a framework for extrapolating nanotoxicity results from in vitro cell culture systems to human exposures. Aligning appropriate dose metrics from in vitro and in vivo hazard characterizations and human pulmonary doses from occupational exposures are critical components for successful nanoparticle risk assessment and worker protection providing guidance for designing future in vitro studies aimed at relevant human exposures.

Biosafety risk assessment of nanoparticles: Evidence from food case studies.

Nanotechnology provides a wide range of benefits in the food industry in improving food tastes, textures, sensations, quality, shelf life, and food safety. Recently, potential adverse effects such as toxicity and safety concerns have been associated with the increasing use of engineered nanoparticles in food industry. Additionally, very limited information is known concerning the behavior, properties and effects of food nano-materials in the gastrointestinal tract. There is explores the current advances and provides insights of the potential risks of nanoparticles in the food industry. Specifically, characteristics of food nanoparticles and their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the effects of food nanoparticles against the gastrointestinal microflora, and the potential toxicity mechanisms in different organs and body systems are discussed. This review would provide references for further investigation of nano-materials toxicity effect in foods and their molecular mechanisms. It will help to develop safer foods and expand nano-materials applications in safe manner.

Nanotoxicology - An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Nanoparticle Risk Assessment

Nanotoxicology - An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Nanoparticle Risk Assessment

Predicting the aggregation tendency of oxidized nanoscale zero-valent iron in aquatic environments.

Predicting the aggregation tendency of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), oxidized nZVI, in particular, is crucial for the risk assessment of nZVI in aquatic environments. In this study, the comprehensive effects of the pH and ionic strength (IS) on the aggregation behaviors of two highly oxidized nZVIs (HO-nZVI) were examined. Compared with hematite nanoparticles, HO-nZVI presented a sudden acceleration in aggregation under critical conditions; moreover, the morphology of the HO-nZVI aggregates at pH and IS values higher or lower than the critical conditions was significantly different. Furthermore, owing to the differences in magnetization between the two prepared HO-nZVI samples, their critical coagulation conditions were significantly different. The significant changes in the aggregation behavior of the HO-nZVI samples were analyzed using colloidal theories, and the aggregation tendency of HO-nZVI under specific conditions could be simulated by calculating the theoretical critical conditions of aggregation via a method that takes into account the hydrochemical properties, magnetization, and surface charge of HO-nZVI. To examine the correctness of the method, we compared the experimentally determined colloidal stability of HO-nZVI in water samples collected from nearby rivers with the theoretically predicted value. The results indicated that the method was adequate for most situations, except for those in which the hydrochemical properties of the water samples were close to the critical coagulation conditions. Our study proposes a theoretical approach that is viable for simulating the colloidal stability of magnetic nanoparticles in aquatic environments; we anticipate that it will further facilitate the risk assessment of nanoparticles.

Risk assessment of iron oxide nanoparticles in an aquatic ecosystem: A case study on Biomphalaria glabrata

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been applied in several sectors in the environmental field, such as aquatic nanoremediation, due to their unique superparamagnetic and nanospecific properties. However, the knowledge of chronic toxicity of IONPs on aquatic invertebrate remains limited. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the chronic toxicity of gluconic acid-functionalized IONPs (GLA-IONPs) and their dissolved counterpart (FeCl3) to freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata. GLA-IONPs were synthesized and characterized by multiple techniques, and the snails were exposed to both Fe forms at environmentally relevant concentrations (1.0–15.6 mg L−1) for 28 days. The bioaccumulation, mortality rate, behavior impairments, morphological alterations, fecundity and fertility of snails were analyzed. Results showed that GLA-IONPs induced high iron bioaccumulation in the entire soft tissue portion. Chronic exposure to GLA-IONP increased the behavioral impairments of snails compared to iron ions and control groups. Both Fe forms reduced the fecundity, while the mortality and reduced fertility were observed only after the exposure to GLA-IONPs at 15.6 mg L−1. Overall results indicated the behavioral impairments and reproductive toxicity associated, possibly, to bioaccumulation of GLA-IONPs in the B. glabrata. These results can be useful for the development of eco-friendly nanotechnologies.

Tradeoff between risks through ingestion of nanoparticle contaminated water or fish: Human health perspective

This study proposed a framework (termed as “nanoHealthRisk” hereafter) for incorporating i) interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with fishes, ii) availability of NPs to the human digestive system, and iii) estimation of health risk due to fish consumption and inadvertent ingestion of NP-contaminated surface water, for the first time as per the literature review. The framework was applied for estimating health risks due to hypothetical exposures of pristine ZnO, CuO, and TiO2 NPs (without any surface functionalization) from fish tissues. Values of bio- concentration factors (BCF) of ZnO, CuO, and TiO2 NPs in fish and model distributions of bio-assimilation factor of ZnO, CuO and TiO2 NPs in the human digestive system were incorporated explicitly in the risk assessment of NPs for the first time. ZnO NP was observed to be transferred more to the human digestive system from aqueous matrix than the other two NPs. Maximum allowable values of NP posing no risk were found to be 0.115 mg/L, 0.152 mg/L, and 1.77 × 107 mg/L for pristine ZnO, CuO and TiO2 NP, respectively. At the environmental concentration range, exposures of studied NPs from aquatic environment under the assumptions used did not pose any health risk under the conditions studied in this study. More work is required to (1) Estimate bio-concentration factors of a mixture of NPs with other constituents in fish tissues, (2) Estimate dissolution of NP from fish tissue in human digestive media, (3) Generate new data to develop reference dose of NP for human health risk assessment, and (4) Study effect of NP fate in the water on health risk through fish consumption pathway. Until all above-mentioned aspects are not explicitly incorporated in the risk assessment framework, risk estimates do not represent the risk from environment completely. Thus, continuous monitoring of these NPs in the environment is required to protect health due to chronic exposure of small concentrations of NPs from an aqueous matrix.

Chronic effects of wastewater-borne silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Even though nanoparticles (NPs) are mostly removed by wastewater treatment plants, wastewater-borne NPs may show an altered toxicity to aquatic organisms. The main objectives of this work were: i) to assess the chronic (28 days) effects of wastewater-borne NPs of silver (AgNPs, 1.4–36.2 μg L−1) and titanium dioxide (TiO2NPs, 3.1–50.2 μg L−1) at the individual (growth) and biochemical (biomarkers of neurotoxicity, oxidative stress and energy metabolism) levels in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss; and ii) to compare them with their effluent-supplemented and water-dispersed counterparts. The total Ag and Ti levels were determined in several fish organs. The growth of O. mykiss was not affected by the NPs in any treatment, except a 29% increase at 5.5 μg L−1 of total Ag supplemented to effluents. The Ag level in organs of O. mykiss was significantly higher after exposure to water-dispersed AgNPs than their wastewater-borne or effluent-supplemented counterparts. No significant Ti uptake could be observed. Effluent-supplemented TiO2NPs (50.1 μg L−1 Ti) potentially induced neurotoxic effects, indicated by a 24% increase in acetylcholinesterase activity comparatively to controls. Energy reserves were unaffected by TiO2 treatments, while nearly all AgNP-containing treatments caused a depletion of total lipids, proteins and carbohydrates in the muscle, suggesting an increased energy demand for detoxification processes to cope with AgNPs. Besides NPs, the effluent matrix and dispersing agent (for AgNPs) induced significant effects on energetic reserves and oxidative stress, indicating background toxicity of both treatments at the biochemical level.Our study is the first to assess chronic effects of wastewater-borne NPs on rainbow trout. While no effects were found at the individual level, several biochemical markers were changed by the NPs exposure. Our results highlight the importance of using complex matrices for a reliable risk assessment of NPs in the aquatic environment.

A lab-on-a-chip system with an embedded porous membrane-based impedance biosensor array for nanoparticle risk assessment on placental Bewo trophoblast cells

The human placenta is a unique organ serving as the lung, gut, liver, and kidney of the fetus, mediating the exchange of different endogenous as well as exogenous substances and gases between the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Additionally, the placental barrier protects the fetus from a range of environmental toxins, bacterial and viral infections, since any contaminant bridging the placenta may have unforeseeable effects on embryonal and fetal development. A more recent concern in placenta research, however, involves the ability of engineered nanoparticles to cross the placental barrier and/or affect its barrier function. To advance nanoparticle risk assessment at the human placental barrier, we have developed as proof-of-principle a highly integrated placenta-on-a-chip system containing embedded membrane-bound impedance microsensor arrays capable of non-invasively monitoring placental barrier integrity. Barrier integrity is continuously and label-free evaluated using porous membrane-based interdigitated electrode structures located on top of a porous PET membrane supporting a barrier of trophoblast-derived BeWo cell barrier in the absence and presence of standardized silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials.

Untargeted Metabolic Pathway Analysis as an Effective Strategy to Connect Various Nanoparticle Properties to Nanoparticle-Induced Ecotoxicity

Elucidation of the relationships between nanoparticle properties and ecotoxicity is a fundamental issue for environmental applications and risk assessment of nanoparticles. However, effective strategies to connect the various properties of nanoparticles with their ecotoxicity remain largely unavailable. Herein, an untargeted metabolic pathway analysis was employed to investigate the environmental risk posed by 10 typical nanoparticles (AgNPs, CuNPs, FeNPs, ZnONPs, SiO2NPs, TiO2NPs, GO, GOQDs, SWCNTs, and C60) to rice (a staple food for half of the world's population). Downregulation of carbohydrate metabolism and upregulation of amino acid metabolism were the two dominant metabolic effects induced by all tested nanoparticles. Partial least-squares regression analysis indicated that a zerovalent metal and high specific surface area positively contributed to the downregulation of carbohydrate metabolism, indicating strong abiotic stress. In contrast, the carbon type, the presence of a spherical or sheet shape, and the absence of oxygen functional groups in the nanoparticles positively contributed to the upregulation of amino acid metabolism, indicating adaptation to abiotic stress. Moreover, network relationships among five properties of nanoparticles were established for these metabolic pathways. The results of the present study will aid in the understanding and prediction of environmental risks and in the design of environmentally friendly nanoparticles.

Impact of fullerol C60(OH)24 nanoparticles on the production of emerging toxins by Aspergillus flavus

The impact of fullerene C60 water soluble daughter molecules - fullerols C60(OH)24 nanoparticles (FNP) on emerging (non-aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway) toxins production in mycelia and yeast extract sucrose (YES) media of A. flavus was investigated under growth conditions of 29 °C in the dark for a 168 h period. The FNP solution (10, 100 and 1000 ng mL−1) contained predominantly nanoparticles of 8 nm diameter and with zeta potential mean value of −33 mV. Ten emerging metabolites were produced at concentrations reaching 1,745,035 ng 50 mL−1 YES medium. Seven of the metabolites were found in mycelia and media, while three were only in mycelia. Majority of the metabolites were detected in higher quantity in mycelia than in media, at a ratio of 99:1 (m/m). However, higher metabolite quantities were found in media following FNP application, while FNP caused a decrease of total metabolite quantities in mycelia. The concentrations of the metabolites in media increased in the presence of 1000 ng mL−1 FNP while mycelial quantities of the metabolites decreased with increased applied FNP dose. The impacts of global climate changes on FNP availability in the environment and on mycotoxin occurrence in crops increase the relevance of this study for risk assessment of nanoparticles. Cordycepin is reported for the first time as metabolite of A. flavus.

Risk and life cycle assessment of nanoparticles for medical applications prepared using safe- and benign-by-design gas-phase syntheses

Laser vaporisation is a promising technology for the industrial manufacturing of spherical, oxidic nanoparticles, including crystalline, less-agglomerated ferromagnetic maghemite and superparamagnetic silica coated iron oxide composite nanoparticles.