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Comparison of Toxicity of Nano and Bulk Titanium Dioxide on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Acetylcholinesterase Activity Modulation and DNA Damage

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Abstract

This study compared effects of low concentrations (0.05 and 0.1 mg/L) of nano-TiO2 and bulk-TiO2 on brain, gill and liver acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and erythrocytic DNA of Nile tilapia over 7 and 14 days exposure. Both TiO2 forms did not affect brain AChE activities. Bulk-TiO2 induced elevation of gill AChE activities only after 7 days while nano-TiO2 had no effect. Liver AChE activities were increased by 0.1 mg/L bulk- and nano-TiO2 to similar extents. At 7 days, erythrocytic DNA damage was induced only by 0.1 mg/L nano- and bulk-TiO2 to similar extents, but damage was not repaired to control levels at 7 days recovery period. At 14 days continuous exposure, DNA damage was induced by 0.05, 0.1 mg/L nano-TiO2 and 0.1 mg/L of bulk-TiO2 to similar extents. Results show that both forms of TiO2 can pose genotoxic hazards to fish populations under sub-chronic exposure. However, their neurotoxic potential was not evident.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to Mr. Harsha P. Weerarathna (Technical Officer) for the technical assistance in the titanium analyses.

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The authors did not receive financial support for the submitted work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, 11600, Sri Lanka

    Chandi Samanthika Abegoda-Liyanage & Asoka Pathiratne

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  1. Chandi Samanthika Abegoda-Liyanage
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  2. Asoka Pathiratne
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Correspondence to Asoka Pathiratne.

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Abegoda-Liyanage, C.S., Pathiratne, A. Comparison of Toxicity of Nano and Bulk Titanium Dioxide on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Acetylcholinesterase Activity Modulation and DNA Damage. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 110, 101 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03746-0

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