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Cytotoxicological evaluation of copper oxide nanoparticles on green algae, bacteria and crustacean systems

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Abstract

Purpose

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been utilized in several industries including textile, consumer products, medical, automobiles etc. The discharge of industrial effluents in environment increased the probability of CuO NPs contamination in the ecosystem.

Methods

The present investigation used CuO NPs to determine the toxic effect on Lyngbya species, fresh water algae isolated from natural pond, bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and a crustacean species Daphnia magna.

Results

The NPs average diameter and zeta potential was estimated to be 45 ± 3 nm and 29 ± 1.78 mV respectively. The results showed that 0.1 µg/mL CuO NPs showed the growth inhibition of 47 ± 2% on Lyngbya sp. after 5 days of incubation. The CuO NPs also showed toxic effect to bacterial systems such as P. aeruginosa and S. aureus and crustacean system D. magna. Further, there was an increased lipid peroxidation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in algal cells observed up on NPs exposure. The exposure of NPs suppressed the antioxidant defense system. The amount of glutathione was reduced after the exposure of NPs.

Conclusion

The study suggested the role of ROS in toxicity of algal and bacterial systems. The present study pointed out the potent toxicity of CuO NPs to the organisms present in the aquatic environment.

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Acknowledgment

Authors sincerely thank the management of Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu for providing the necessary facilities and financial support to carry out this research work. The authors extend their appreciation to the Researchers supporting project number (RSP-2020/190) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu, India

    B. Janani, Arunava Das & S. Sudheer Khan

  2. Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Dunia A. Al Farraj, Mohamed S. Elshikh & Noorah A. Alkubaisi

  3. Department of Zoology, Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    Lija L. Raju

  4. Department of Botany and Biotechnology, St Xavier’s College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    Ajith M. Thomas

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  1. B. Janani
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Correspondence to S. Sudheer Khan.

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Janani, B., Al Farraj, D.A., Raju, L.L. et al. Cytotoxicological evaluation of copper oxide nanoparticles on green algae, bacteria and crustacean systems. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 18, 1465–1472 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-020-00561-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-020-00561-1

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