Effects of Cu_xTiO_y nanometer particles on biological toxicity during zebrafish embryogenesis

摘要

This study investigated the toxicity of Cu (1, 10, 15, and 25 mol%) loaded TiO_2 and pure TiO_2 nanometer-sized photocatalysts during the development of zebrafish embryogenesis. The hatch rate decreased in the Cu_xTiO_y nano-particles exposed groups (10, 20 ppt) compared to pure TiO_2 nano-particles (10, 20 ppt) exposed or control groups. These Cu_xTiO_y and TiO_2 nanoparticles led to developing mutated embryos with abnormal notochord formation, no tail, damaged eyes and abnormal heart development. Exposure to Cu_xTiO_y and pure TiO_2 nanoparticles led to glutathione increase, catalase activity increase, GST increase and GSR increase than control. Penetration of the Cu_xTiO_y and pure TiO_2 nanoparticles to the embryo was also tested. It was observed that Cu_xTiO_y and pure TiO_2 nanoparticles penetrated into cells. Moreover Cu_xTiO_y penetrated into the skin, nerve and yolk sac epithelium cells on the zebrafish larvae as aggregated particles, which may induce the direct interaction between nanoparticies and cell to cause adverse biological responses. As a result, the Cu-loaded TiO_2 nanoparticles had the toxicity of zebrafish embryo and larvae in the water environment.