{"title":"A multi-technique analytical approach to support (eco)toxicological investigation of zinc oxide nanoparticles","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465331","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Understanding the mechanism of toxicity of nanoparticles and their behavior in biological environments is crucial for designing materials with reduced side effects and improved performance. Among the factors influencing nanoparticle behavior in biological environments, the release and bioavailability of potentially toxic metal ions can alter equilibria and cause adverse effects. In this study, we applied two on-line Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) strategies and compared the results with off-line benchmarking centrifugal ultrafiltration to assess a key descriptor, namely the solubility of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. We found that, at the highest nanoparticle concentrations, the nanoparticle-ion ratio quickly reaches equilibrium, and the stability is not significantly affected by the separation technique. However, at lower concentrations, dynamic, non-equilibrium behavior occurs, and the results depend on the method used to separate the solid from the ionic fraction, where FFF yielded a more representative dissolution pattern. To support the (eco)toxicological profiling of the investigated nanoparticles, we generated experimental data on colloidal stability over typical (eco)toxicological assay durations. The Zeta Potential vs pH curves revealed two distinct scenarios typical of surfaces that have undergone significant modification, most likely due to pH-dependent dissolution and re-precipitation of surface groups. Finally, to enhance hazard assessment screening, we investigated ion-dependent toxicity and the effects of exposure to fresh water. Using an in vitro human skin model, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of fresh and aged ZnO nanoparticles (exposed for 72 h in M7), revealing time-dependent, dose-dependent, and nanoparticle-dependent cytotoxicity, with lower toxicity observed in the case of aged samples.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":347,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Chromatography A","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Chromatography A","FirstCategoryId":"1","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967324007052","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of toxicity of nanoparticles and their behavior in biological environments is crucial for designing materials with reduced side effects and improved performance. Among the factors influencing nanoparticle behavior in biological environments, the release and bioavailability of potentially toxic metal ions can alter equilibria and cause adverse effects. In this study, we applied two on-line Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) strategies and compared the results with off-line benchmarking centrifugal ultrafiltration to assess a key descriptor, namely the solubility of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. We found that, at the highest nanoparticle concentrations, the nanoparticle-ion ratio quickly reaches equilibrium, and the stability is not significantly affected by the separation technique. However, at lower concentrations, dynamic, non-equilibrium behavior occurs, and the results depend on the method used to separate the solid from the ionic fraction, where FFF yielded a more representative dissolution pattern. To support the (eco)toxicological profiling of the investigated nanoparticles, we generated experimental data on colloidal stability over typical (eco)toxicological assay durations. The Zeta Potential vs pH curves revealed two distinct scenarios typical of surfaces that have undergone significant modification, most likely due to pH-dependent dissolution and re-precipitation of surface groups. Finally, to enhance hazard assessment screening, we investigated ion-dependent toxicity and the effects of exposure to fresh water. Using an in vitro human skin model, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of fresh and aged ZnO nanoparticles (exposed for 72 h in M7), revealing time-dependent, dose-dependent, and nanoparticle-dependent cytotoxicity, with lower toxicity observed in the case of aged samples.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Chromatography A provides a forum for the publication of original research and critical reviews on all aspects of fundamental and applied separation science. The scope of the journal includes chromatography and related techniques, electromigration techniques (e.g. electrophoresis, electrochromatography), hyphenated and other multi-dimensional techniques, sample preparation, and detection methods such as mass spectrometry. Contributions consist mainly of research papers dealing with the theory of separation methods, instrumental developments and analytical and preparative applications of general interest.