Estimation of biocidal effect of metal and bioelement nanoparticles in a unicellular eukaryotic test system

Abstract

The results of the study of biocidal properties of silver, copper and silicon dioxide nanoparticles are presented. Questions about the safety of nanocomponents in connection with their unstudied impact on the environment are considered. To evaluate the biocidal effect of noble metal nanoparticles and bioelements, a unicellular eukaryotic test-system, represented by a ciliated protist microorganism Paramecium caudatum inhabiting pond water bodies, was used. It was found that solutions of noble metal nanoparticles and bioelements are not bioinert and biostimulating. Colloidal solutions of silver, copper and silicon dioxide nanoparticles have a biocidal effect and show a similar dosedependent effect if the concentration of nanoparticles in the initial colloidal solutions is the same (300 µg/ml). The colloidal silver solution is characterized by a more pronounced toxic activity in a unicellular protist biological model, since full biocidal activity against paramecium is provided by dilutions of the colloidal solution of nanoparticles to the value 1: 6 of the initial one. Compared to it, solutions of copper nanoparticles and silicon oxide have a biocidal index of 100% achieved only in values of two- or three-times dilution of the initial solution. Colloidal solutions of nanoparticles in concentrations that do not cause complete mortality of the infusoria (1: 5 of the original for copper and silicon oxide nanoparticles and 1: 7 of the original for silver nanoparticles) inhibit their reproduction intensity by approximately the same value of 55-61% (paramecium reproduction intensity index of 0.455 to 0.390 respectively).