Toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have been widely studied for different biomedical and environmental applications. In this study we evaluated the toxicity and potential alterations of relevant physiological parameters caused to the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardti...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Hurtado Gallego, Jara, Pulido Reyes, Gerardo, González Pleiter, Miguel, Salas, Gorka, Leganés Nieto, Francisco, Rosal, Roberto, Fernández Piñas, Francisca
Format: article
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repository:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/695379
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/695379
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124562
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Internalization
Microalgae
Shading effect
SPION
Toxicity mechanisms
Biología y Biomedicina / Biología
Description
Summary:Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have been widely studied for different biomedical and environmental applications. In this study we evaluated the toxicity and potential alterations of relevant physiological parameters caused to the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) upon exposure to SPION. The results showed dose-dependent toxicity. A mechanistic study combining flow cytometry and physiological endpoints showed a toxic response consisting of a decrease in metabolic activity, increased oxidative stress and alterations in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, and due to the light absorption of SPION suspensions, we observed a significant shading effect, causing a marked decrease in photosynthetic activity. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time, the internalization of SPION by endocytosis in C. reinhardtii. These results demonstrated that SPION pose a potential risk for the environment if not managed properly