IET Nanobiotechnology (Jun 2021)

A comparative study on chitosan nanoparticle synthesis methodologies for application in aquaculture through toxicity studies

  • Subashni Bhoopathy,
  • Dhinakaraswamy Inbakandan,
  • Rajendran Thirugnanasambandam,
  • Chandrasekaran Kumar,
  • Pavithra Sampath,
  • Ramalingam Bethunaickan,
  • Vasantharaja Raguraman,
  • Ganesh Kumar Vijayakumar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1049/nbt2.12047
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 4
pp. 418 – 426

Abstract

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Abstract Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been recently used for various applications in aquaculture, especially as drug carriers. The aim of this study was to synthesise and investigate a superlative method of CSNP synthesis for application in aquaculture through aquaculture‐based toxicology screening methods. Two different methods were analysed: the first a direct ionic gelation method (A) and the other involving a low‐molecular‐weight chitosan microparticle intermediate method (B). Dynamic light scattering characterisation revealed that the CSNP particle sizes were 192.7 ± 11.8 and 22.9 nm from methods A and B, respectively. The LC50 values for brine shrimp toxicity were found to be 1.51 and 0.02 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Acute toxicity studies in Litopenaeus vannamei rendered LC50 values of 3235.94 and 2884.03 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Zebrafish toxicity studies revealed mortality rates of 21.67% and 55% at 20 mg/L concentration for methods A and B, respectively, with an increased expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species in method B. From these findings, it can be concluded that a comparatively reduced toxicity of CSNPs derived from ionic gelation method makes it more appropriate for application in aquaculture.