Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation
Roberta Pecoraro,
Elena Maria Scalisi,
Stefania Indelicato,
Martina Contino,
Giuliana Coco,
Ilenia Stancanelli,
Fabiano Capparucci,
Roberto Fiorenza,
Maria Violetta Brundo
Affiliations
Roberta Pecoraro
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Elena Maria Scalisi
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Stefania Indelicato
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Martina Contino
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Giuliana Coco
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Ilenia Stancanelli
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
Fabiano Capparucci
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Roberto Fiorenza
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Maria Violetta Brundo
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
The widespread use of metal nanoparticles in different fields has raised many doubts regarding their possible toxicity to living organisms and the accumulation and discharge of metals in fish species. Among these nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have mainly been employed in photocatalysis and water depuration. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential toxic effects, after a co-exposure of TiO2-3%CeO2 nanoparticles, on zebrafish development, using an acute toxicity test. Increasing concentrations of TiO2-3%CeO2 nanoparticles were used (0.1-1-10-20 mg/L). The heartbeat rate was assessed using DanioscopeTM software (version 1.2) (Noldus, Leesburg, VA, USA), and the responses to two biomarkers of exposure (Heat shock proteins-70 and Metallothioneins) were evaluated through immunofluorescence. Our results showed that the co-exposure to TiO2-3%CeO2 nanoparticles did not affect the embryos’ development compared to the control group; a significant difference (p p 2-3%CeO2 nanocomposites do not induce developmental toxicity; instead, when considered separately, TiO2 and CeO2 NPs are harmful to zebrafish embryos, as previously shown.
