Impact of Nanomaterials on Health and Environment

Biosynthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, its advantages, various aspects and risk assessment to maintain the sustainable agriculture: Emerging technology in modern era science

The current review aims to gain knowledge on the biosynthesis and characterization of nanoparticles (NPs), their multifactorial role, and emerging trends of NPs utilization in modern science, particularly in sustainable agriculture, for increased yield to solve the food problem in the coming era. However, it is well known that an environment-friendly resource is in excessive demand, and green chemistry is an advanced and rising resource in exploring eco-friendly processes. Plant extracts or other resources can be utilized to synthesize different types of NPS. Hence NPs can be synthesized by organic or inorganic molecules. Inorganic molecules are hydrophilic, biocompatible, and highly steady compared to organic types. NPs occur in numerous chemical conformations ranging from amphiphilic molecules to metal oxides, from artificial polymers to bulky biomolecules. NPs structures can be examined by different approaches, i.e., Raman spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and solid-state NMR. Nano-agrochemical is a unification of nanotechnology and agro-chemicals, which has brought about the manufacture of nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, nano-herbicides, nano-insecticides, and nano-fungicides. NPs can also be utilized as an antimicrobial solution, but the mode of action for antibacterial NPs is poorly understood. Presently known mechanisms comprise the induction of oxidative stress, the release of metal ions, and non-oxidative stress. Multiple modes of action towards microbes would be needed in a similar bacterial cell for antibacterial resistance to develop. Finally, we visualize multidisciplinary cooperative methods will be essential to fill the information gap in nano-agrochemicals and drive toward the usage of green NPs in agriculture and plant science study.

Nanomaterials and Stem Cell Differentiation Potential: An Overview of Biological Aspects and Biomedical Efficacy

Nanoparticles (NPs) due to their medical applications are widely used. Accordingly, the use of mesenchymal stem cells is one of the most important alternatives in tissue engineering field. NPs play effective roles in stem cells proliferation and differentiation. The combination of NPs and tissue regeneration by stem cells has created new therapeutic approach towards humanity. Of note, the physicochemical properties of NPs determine their biological function. Interestingly, various mechanisms such as modulation of signaling pathways and generation of reactive oxygen species, are involved in NPs-induced cellular proliferation and differentiation. This review summarized the types of nanomaterials effective on stem cell differentiation, the physicochemical features, biomedical application of these materials and relationship between nanomaterials and environment.

Innovations in nanoscience for the sustainable development of food and agriculture with implications on health and environment

A rapid increase in world population is leading to the rise in global demand of food and agriculture (agri) products. Nanotechnology and its applications have emerged as one of the most pioneering and promising technology for transforming conventional food and agri industries, with the aim of sustainable farming, improving the food security, quality and safety which could revolutionize the food and agri industries. Current developments in nanotechnology have led to the new paths progressively and bringing the radical changes the way food is perceived throughout the farming, transportation, processing, packaging, storage, monitoring and consumption. This review brings the current updates on novel nanomaterials in food and agri industries. Emphasis is given on the importance of nanotechnological applications, offering complete food solutions from farm to fork; including nutraceutical and functional foods, improving bioavailability, efficiency, nutritional status, nano-additives, food texture, color, taste and packaging. Agricultural sector also witnessed several nano-based products, such as nano-fertilizer, nano-pesticide, nano growth promoters and many more for the development of sustainable farming and crop improvement. Despite of numerous advantages of nanotechnology, there are still toxicity challenges, safety concerns, which needs to be addressed and demands transformations in regulatory policies. Rapid development is projected to transform several foods and agri sectors, with rapid increase in market stake and investment. Government agencies, private research centers as well as academicians are also coming together to explore the benefits of nanotechnology to improve food scarcity in the coming years.

Interaction Potency of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with DNAs: A Novel Assay for Assessment of Hazard Risk

Increasing use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) necessitates a novel method for hazard risk assessment. In this work, we investigated the interaction of several types of commercial SWCNTs with single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA oligonucleotides (20-mer and 20 bp). Based on the results achieved, we proposed a novel assay that employed the DNA interaction potency to assess the hazard risk of SWCNTs. It was found that SWCNTs in different sizes or different batches of the same product number of SWCNTs showed dramatically different potency of interaction with DNAs. In addition, the same SWCNTs also exerted strikingly different interaction potency with ss- versus ds- DNAs. The interaction rates of SWCNTs with DNAs were investigated, which could be utilized as the indicator of potential hazard for acute exposure. Compared to solid SWCNTs, the SWCNTs dispersed in liquid medium (2% sodium cholate solution) exhibited dramatically different interaction potency with DNAs. This indicates that the exposure medium may greatly influence the subsequent toxicity and hazard risk produced by SWCNTs. Based on the findings of dose-dependences and time-dependences from the interactions between SWCNTs and DNAs, a new chemistry based assay for hazard risk assessment of nanomaterials including SWCNTs has been presented.

Oxidative injury induced by cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in A549 cells and rat lungs

BACKGROUND

Rod-shaped cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CdS NPs) are becoming increasingly important in many industrial fields, but their potential hazards remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the patterns and mechanisms of lung injury induced by CdS NPs.

METHODS

A549 cells and rats were exposed to two types of CdS NPs with a same diameter of 20-30 nm but different lengths, CdS1 (80-100 nm) and CdS2 (110-130 nm). The using doses were included 10 μg/ml and 20 μg/ml two types of CdS NPs for cellular experiments and five times dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for rats' exposure. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue staining were used to detect the A549 cell mortality percentage. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined in A549 cell. The vigor of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected both in A549 cells and in rats' serum and lung tissues. The cellular morphological changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the pathological changes were observed in rats' lung tissue.

RESULTS

CdS NPs significantly increased A549 cell mortality percentage. The CdS NPs also increased the levels of ROS and MDA content, whereas they decreased SOD and CAT activities. In parallel, similar changes of the contents of MDA, SOD and CAT were also observed in the sera and lung tissues of CdS NP-treated rats. The cellular TEM detection revealed that two types of CdS nanorods appeared as orderly arranged rounded fat droplets separately and leading to nucleus condensation (CdS1). These cellular and rats' tissues changes in the group treated with CdS1 were more significant than the CdS2 groups. Furthermore, CdS NPs induced many pathological changes, including emphysematous changes in rat lung tissue. Especially visible lung consolidation can be observed in the CdS1 group.

CONCLUSIONS

CdS NPs induce oxidative injury in the respiratory system, and their toxic effects may be related to grain length.