Polyaniline nanofibers: Acute toxicity and teratogenic effect on Rhinella arenarum embryos.

E. I. YSLAS; LUIS E. IBARRA; D.O. PERALTA; BARBERO C; RIVAROLA, V.; BERTUZZI M

Froglog

Froglog Editorial Board

Año: 2012 vol. 20 p. 43 - 43

1026-0269

Nanotechnology is a novel field that employs chemical techniques for the synthesis of extremely small molecules for their use in medicine, biomedical research, radiology, cosmetics, optics, fabrics and electronics. Due that these nanomaterials are also frequently used in high volumes in various industries and as such may enter in the environment is very important determine ecotoxicological effects. Given the uncertainty about their potential hazards, there is an immediate need for toxicity data and field studies to assess exposure to nanomaterials. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the toxicological potential of PANI nanofibers in the larvae Rhinella arenarum by means of AMPHITOX test. Acute toxicity of PANI nanofibers was evaluated in the premetamorphosis (stage 25) larvae. The exposure of R. arenarum larvae at dose of 150-400 mg L-1 resulted in 100% viability within 96 h exposure. Also, the teratogenic effects, was studies by means of an attractive alternative testing method for embryotoxicity/teratogenicity. In this assay, the embryos at 2-4 blastomers stage (early life stage teratogenic test) revealed that embryos were not killed and no teratogenic effects were observed when embryos were incubated with PANI nanofibers in concentrations of 150 and 250 mg L-1, while only a growth retardation of embryos was induced at levels of 250 mg PANI nanofibers L-1. While on the contrary at concentration of 400 mg L-1, a reduction in the body length of larvae and tail malformation was observed. This results suggest that a concentration-dependent teratogenic effect is operative, typified by phenotypes that had abnormal body axes and growth retardation of embryos. Also was observed the presence of PANI nanofibers in gut contents and its excretion by larval stages of R. arenarum. The results demonstrate the necessity to use a large variety of different tests for a comprehensive risk assessment. Therefore, these studies in embryonic and larval stage of R. arenarum could be included in a test system for nanomaterials toxicity determination. In the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of larvae in nanotoxicology.