Toxicity of Graphene Oxide-Based Nanoparticles against Chaetoceros Muelleri Microalgae

Abstract

The growing demands for nanotechnology in recent years have resulted in the environmental release of nanomaterials. The aim of the present study was to synthesize graphene oxide-based nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of green macroalgae and evaluate their toxicity against Chaetoceros muelleri microalgae as an important live feed in mariculture. In a laboratory study, first, the biosynthesis process of graphene nanoparticles was performed using the aqueous extract of the green alga Ulva flexuosa and then the anti-algae activity was evaluated and the content of photosynthetic pigments and microalgae protein was determined. The results of characterization analyses of graphene oxide reduction with the aqueous extract of the green alga U. flexuosa and its conversion to graphene were confirmed. Evaluation of the anti-algae activity of the studied samples showed that the reduced graphene oxide has a higher anti-algae activity than graphene oxide. The results also showed that with increasing the concentration of synthesized nanoparticles, the content of photosynthetic pigments and proteins decreased. The toxic effects of the released nanoparticles can damage the stocks of C. muelleri as an important live feed in mariculture.

Keywords

• green macro-algae
• graphene oxide
• green synthesis
• chlorophyll
• toxicity