Evidence of free radical and antioxidant activity in Spirodela exposed to metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles: potential for protein and lipid damage

Abstract

The toxicity of engineered nanoparticles towards macro algae and higher aquatic plants has not been well studied. This knowledge gap challenges the development of nano risk assessment towards water ecosystems. In this study, we investigated free radical activity and oxidation defence activity on Spirodela after exposure to ZnO and Ag ENPs over 96 hours (acute) and 14 days (chronic). Plant specimens were exposed to nanoparricles with concentrations ranging from 0.01-1000 mg/L, and thereafter the quantities of free radicals (H202, total ROS/RNS), antioxidant activity (catalase, superoxide disrnutasc, and total antioxidam capacity) were analyzed. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a significant route of toxicity induction by engineered nanomaterials (ENPs) to biological media.