The Membrane Interactions of Nano-Silica and Its Potential Application in Animal Nutrition

摘要

Silicon dioxide nanostructures, due to good biocompatibility, low toxicity and high synthetic availability, are promising materials for various biological and industrial applications. Interest in using silicon dioxide nanostructures arises not only from their special interactions with cell membranes, but also from an ease in manipulating their particle size, shape and porosity, allowing one to make a material with the desired physicochemical properties. Despite that, there is still little known about the possible use of silicon dioxide and other nanostructures in animal nutrition. The aim of the present paper was to describe the properties of silica nanostructures, demonstrating potential applications and achievable benefits of using nanostructures as a feed additive. Based on the literature, it seems that diet supplementation with nanoparticles leads to improved performance and immunity in animals, which might be, at least partially, related to changes in the composition of gut microbiota. These unique features make nanoparticles interesting candidates as feed additives used in animal nutrition.