Comparative toxicity and environmental impact assessments of sonochemically-synthesized CuO and Zn-doped CuO nanoparticles using zebrafish and LCA tools
Source abstract
Abstract
Nanomaterials (NMs), including nanoparticles (NPs), offer promising potential in achieving the European Commission’s Green Deal goals of climate-neutral, zero-pollution and circular economy. Metal oxide NPs display antimicrobial properties, with efficacy also towards antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Nevertheless, the increasing manufacture, use and unintended release of NMs particularly in aquatic compartments, raises concerns about their environmental sustainability and safety towards non-target organisms. Within the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework, this study compares toxicity and environmental impacts of sonochemically synthesized water-based CuO and Zn-doped CuO NPs. Zebrafish embryos were exploited in a high-throughput developmental and behavioral screening to investigate nanosafety. The Fish Embryo acute Toxicity test was used to assess the NPs aquatic toxicity potential, while behaviour was addressed by tracking embryos activity. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was implemented through the OpenLCA software to evaluate the environmental footprint of the NPs synthesis. Our findings showed no significative lethality at the tested concentrations (0.01–100 mg/L) (LC 50 wCuO > > 100 mg/L), with the exception of ZnCuO NPs 100 mg/L (LC 50 ZnCuO = 123 mg/L). Sub-lethality occurred as delayed hatching, partially recovered by Zn-doping, and embryo development. LCA highlighted the dominant role of electricity (which represented 47 to 98% of the total impacts) and copper acetate (37–94%) consumption in the environmental impacts of the NPs synthesis, emphasizing the importance of optimizing energy and chemical use to minimize environmental burden. This research supports the safe and sustainable design of nano-enabled antimicrobials and underscores the need for an approach comprehensive of both risk assessment and LCA in nanotechnology development.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (57)
Show source-provided references
1. European Commission (2019) A European Green Deal. In: European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
2. Leudjo Taka A, Tata CM, Klink MJ, Mbianda XY, Mtunzi FM, Naidoo EB. A review on conventional and advanced methods for nanotoxicology evaluation of engineered nanomaterials. Molecules. 2021;26:6536. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216536.10.3390/molecules26216536 ↗
3. Naseem T, Durrani T. The role of some important metal oxide nanoparticles for wastewater and antibacterial applications: A review. Environ Chem Ecotoxicol. 2021;3:59–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enceco.2020.12.001.10.1016/j.enceco.2020.12.001 ↗
4. Liao S, Zhang Y, Pan X, Zhu F, Jiang C, Liu Q, Cheng Z, Dai G, Wu G, Wang L, Chen L. Antibacterial activity and mechanism of silver nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Nanomed. 2019;14:1469–87. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s191340.10.2147/ijn.s191340 ↗
5. Hong P-Y, Julian T, Pype M-L, Jiang S, Nelson K, Graham D, Pruden A, Manaia C. Reusing treated wastewater: consideration of the safety aspects associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Water. 2018;10:244. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10030244.10.3390/w10030244 ↗
6. Malka E, Perelshtein I, Lipovsky A, Shalom Y, Naparstek L, Perkas N, Patick T, Lubart R, Nitzan Y, Banin E, Gedanken A. Eradication of multi-Drug resistant bacteria by a novel Zn-doped CuO Nanocomposite. Small. 2013;9:4069–76. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201301081.10.1002/smll.201301081 ↗
7. Vincent M, Duval RE, Hartemann P, Engels-Deutsch M. Contact killing and antimicrobial properties of copper. J Appl Microbiol. 2018;124:1032–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.13681.10.1111/jam.13681 ↗
8. Sawai J, Kawada E, Kanou F, Igarashi H, Hashimoto A, Kokugan T, Shimizu M. Detection of active oxygen generated from ceramic powders having antibacterial activity. J Chem Eng Jpn. 1996;29:627–33. https://doi.org/10.1252/jcej.29.627.10.1252/jcej.29.627 ↗
9. Applerot G, Lipovsky A, Dror R, Perkas N, Nitzan Y, Lubart R, Gedanken A. Enhanced antibacterial activity of nanocrystalline ZnO Due to Increased ROS-mediated cell injury. Adv Func Mater. 2009;19:842–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.200801081.10.1002/adfm.200801081 ↗
10. Wang Z, Li N, Zhao J, White JC, Qu P, Xing B. CuO nanoparticle interaction with human epithelial cells: cellular uptake, location, export, and genotoxicity. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012;25:1512–21. https://doi.org/10.1021/tx3002093.10.1021/tx3002093 ↗
11. Ivask A, Juganson K, Bondarenko O, Mortimer M, Aruoja V, Kasemets K, Blinova I, Heinlaan M, Slaveykova V, Kahru A. Mechanisms of toxic action of Ag, ZnO and CuO nanoparticles to selected ecotoxicological test organisms and mammalian cells in vitro: A comparative review. Nanotoxicology. 2013;8:57–71. https://doi.org/10.3109/17435390.2013.855831.10.3109/17435390.2013.855831 ↗
12. Bondarenko O, Juganson K, Ivask A, Kasemets K, Mortimer M, Kahru A. Toxicity of Ag, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles to selected environmentally relevant test organisms and mammalian cells in vitro: a critical review. Arch Toxicol. 2013;87:1181–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-013-1079-4.10.1007/s00204-013-1079-4 ↗
13. Naz S, Gul A, Zia M. Toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles: a review study. IET Nanobiotechnol. 2020;14:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-nbt.2019.0176.10.1049/iet-nbt.2019.0176 ↗
14. Naatz H, Lin S, Li R, Jiang W, Ji Z, Chang CH, Köser J, Thöming J, Xia T, Nel AE, Mädler L, Pokhrel S. Safe-by-Design cuo nanoparticlesviafe-doping, cu–o bond length variation, and biological assessment in cells and zebrafish embryos. ACS Nano. 2017;11(1):501–15. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b06495.10.1021/acsnano.6b06495 ↗
15. Madahi P, Shahtahmasebi N, Kompany A, Mashreghi M, Bagheri-Mohagheghi MM, Hosseini A. Deposition and characterization of ZnO: Mg thin films: the study of antibacterial properties. Phys Scr. 2011;84: 035801. https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-8949/84/03/035801.10.1088/0031-8949/84/03/035801 ↗
16. Baranidharan S, Kumar A. Preliminary evidence of nanoparticle occurrence in water from different regions of Delhi (India). Environ Monitor Assess. 2018;190:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6529-2.10.1007/s10661-018-6529-2 ↗
17. Phung LD, Kumar A, Watanabe T. CuO nanoparticles in irrigation wastewater have no detrimental effect on rice growth but may pose human health risks. Sci Total Environ. 2022;847: 157602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157602.10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157602 ↗
18. European Commission (2020) Chemicals strategy. In: ec.europa.eu. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/chemicals-strategy_en
19. Pourmadadi M, Holghoomi R, Shamsabadipour A, Maleki-baladi R, Rahdar A, Pandey S. Copper nanoparticles from chemical, physical, and green synthesis to medicinal application: a review. Plant nano biology. 2024;8:100070–100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plana.2024.100070.10.1016/j.plana.2024.100070 ↗
20. Saleem MH, Ejaz U, Vithanage M, Bolan N, Siddique M. Synthesis, characterization, and advanced sustainable applications of copper oxide nanoparticles: a review. Clean Technol Environ Policy. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-024-02774-6.10.1007/s10098-024-02774-6 ↗
21. OECD (2013) Test No. 236: Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity (FET) Test. OECD
22. Clark M. (2018) The 3Rs in research: a contemporary approach to replacement, reduction and refinement, British Journal of Nutrition, 2018, 120, S1-S7.ISO - International Organization for Standardization (2006) ISO 14040:2006. In: ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html10.1017/S0007114517002227 ↗
23. ISO - International Organization for Standardization (2014) ISO 14040:2006. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html.
24. ISO - International Organization for Standardization (2014) ISO 14044:2006. In: ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/38498.html.
25. Perelshtein I, Ruderman Y, Perkas N, Beddow J, Singh G, Vinatoru M, Joyce E, Mason TJ, Blanes M, Mollá K, Gedanken A. The sonochemical coating of cotton withstands 65 washing cycles at hospital washing standards and retains its antibacterial properties. Cellulose. 2013;20(3):1215–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-9929-z.10.1007/s10570-013-9929-z ↗
26. Perelshtein I, Lipovsky A, Perkas N, Gedanken A, Moschini E, Mantecca P. The influence of the crystalline nature of nano-metal oxides on their antibacterial and toxicity properties. Nano Res. 2014;8:695–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-014-0553-5.10.1007/s12274-014-0553-5 ↗
27. Mantecca P, Moschini E, Bonfanti P, Fascio U, Perelshtein I, Lipovsky A, Chirico G, Bacchetta R, Del Giacco L, Colombo A, Gedanken A. Toxicity evaluation of a new Zn-Doped CuO nanocomposite with highly effective antibacterial properties. Toxicol Sci. 2015;146:16–30. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfv067.10.1093/toxsci/kfv067 ↗
28. Zhao J, Lin M, Wang Z, Cao X, Xing B. Engineered nanomaterials in the environment: are they safe? Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2020;51:1–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2020.1764279.10.1080/10643389.2020.1764279 ↗
29. Reijnders L. Safe functional modified CuO nanoparticles? Appl Sci. 2023;13:3425. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063425.10.3390/app13063425 ↗
30. Sajjad H, Sajjad A, Haya RT, Khan MM, Zia M. Copper oxide nanoparticles: In vitro and in vivo toxicity, mechanisms of action and factors influencing their toxicology. Comp Biochem Physiol C: Toxicol Pharmacol. 2023;271:109682–109682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109682.10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109682 ↗
31. Sun Y, Zhang G, He Z, Wang Y, Cui J, Li Y. Effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on developing zebrafish embryos and larvae. Int J Nanomed. 2016;11:905. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s100350.10.2147/ijn.s100350 ↗
32. Wu F, Harper BJ, Crandon LE, Harper SL. Assessment of Cu and CuO nanoparticle ecological responses using laboratory small-scale microcosms. Environ Sci Nano. 2020;7:105–15. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9en01026b.10.1039/c9en01026b ↗
33. Ganesan S, Anaimalai Thirumurthi N, Raghunath A, Vijayakumar S, Perumal E. Acute and sub-lethal exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles causes oxidative stress and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos. J Appl Toxicol. 2015;36:554–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.3224.10.1002/jat.3224 ↗
34. Xu J, Zhang Q, Li X, Zhan S, Wang L, Chen D. The effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on dorsoventral patterning, convergent extension, and neural and cardiac development of zebrafish. Aquat Toxicol. 2017;188:130–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.05.002.10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.05.002 ↗
35. Pereira SPP, Boyle D, Nogueira A, Handy RD. Differences in toxicity and accumulation of metal from copper oxide nanomaterials compared to copper sulphate in zebrafish embryos: delayed hatching, the chorion barrier and physiological effects. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023;253:114613–114613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114613.10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114613 ↗
36. Zhang Y, Zhang R, Sun H, Chen Q, Yu X, Zhang T, Yi M, Liu J-X. Copper inhibits hatching of fish embryos via inducing reactive oxygen species and down-regulating Wnt signaling. Aquat Toxicol. 2018;205:156–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.10.015.10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.10.015 ↗
37. Lin S, Zhao Y, Ji Z, Ear J, Chang CH, Zhang H, Low-Kam C, Yamada K, Meng H, Wang X, Liu R, Pokhrel S, Mädler L, Damoiseaux R, Xia T, Godwin HA, Lin S, Nel AE. Zebrafish high-throughput screening to study the impact of dissolvable metal oxide nanoparticles on the hatching enzyme, ZHE1. Small. 2012;9:1776–85. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201202128.10.1002/smll.201202128 ↗
38. Lin S, Zhao Y, Xia T, Meng H, Ji Z, Liu R, George S, Xiong S, Wang X, Zhang H, Pokhrel S, Mädler L, Damoiseaux R, Lin S, Nel AE. High content screening in zebrafish speeds up hazard ranking of transition metal oxide nanoparticles. ACS Nano. 2011;5:7284–95. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn202116p.10.1021/nn202116p ↗
39. Bonfanti P, Colombo A, Bengalli R, Gualtieri M, Zanoni I, Blosi M, Costa A, Mantecca P. Functional silver-based nanomaterials affecting zebrafish development: the adverse outcomes in relation to the nanoparticle physical and chemical structure. Environ Sci Nano. 2024;11(6):2521–40. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3en00813d.10.1039/d3en00813d ↗
40. Boyle D, Goss GG. Effects of silver nanoparticles in early life-stage zebrafish are associated with particle dissolution and the toxicity of soluble silver. Nanoimpact. 2018;12:1–8.10.1016/j.impact.2018.08.006 ↗
41. Ong KJ, Shatkin JA, Nelson K, Ede JD, Retsina T. Establishing the safety of novel bio-based cellulose nanomaterials for commercialization. NanoImpact. 2017;6:19–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2017.03.002.10.1016/j.impact.2017.03.002 ↗
42. Duan Z, Duan X, Zhao S, Wang X, Wang J, Liu Y, Peng Y, Gong Z, Wang L. Barrier function of zebrafish embryonic chorions against microplastics and nanoplastics and its impact on embryo development. J Hazard Mater. 2020;395: 122621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122621.10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122621 ↗
43. Bonfanti P, Colombo A, Saibene M, Motta G, Saliu F, Catelani T, Mehn D, La Spina R, Ponti J, Cella C, Floris P, Mantecca P. Microplastics from miscellaneous plastic wastes: Physico-chemical characterization and impact on fish and amphibian development. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021;225: 112775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112775.10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112775 ↗
44. Slotte M, Zevenhoven R. Energy requirements and life cycle assessment of production and product integration of silver, copper and zinc nanoparticles. J Clean Prod. 2017;148:948–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.083.10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.083 ↗
45. Rahman A, Kang S, McGinnis S, Vikesland PJ. Life cycle impact assessment of iron oxide (Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticle synthesis routes. ACS Sustainable Chem Eng. 2022;10:3155–65. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c05763.10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c05763 ↗
46. Kazemi S, Hosseingholian A, Gohari SD, Feirahi F, Moammeri F, Mesbahian G, Moghaddam ZS, Ren Q. Recent advances in green synthesized nanoparticles: from production to application. Mater Today Sustainability. 2023;24: 100500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2023.100500.10.1016/j.mtsust.2023.100500 ↗
47. OECD (2013) No. 5: Nanotechnology for Green Innovation. OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers. https://doi.org/10.1787/5k450q9j8p8q-en10.1787/5k450q9j8p8q-en ↗
48. Sadlek B. (2019). The environmental impacts of copper production in the global supply chain. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32447.7440110.13140/RG.2.2.32447.74401 ↗
49. Patiño-Ruiz DA, Meramo-Hurtado SI, González-Delgado ÁD, Herrera A. Environmental sustainability evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via green synthesis and the coprecipitation method: a comparative life cycle assessment study. ACS Omega. 2021;6:12410–23. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c05246.10.1021/acsomega.0c05246 ↗
50. Myszczuk AP, De Souza A. Brief considerations on the conflict between public environmental protection and economic development policies and their consequences for energy expansion in Brazil. R Bras Planej e Desenvolv. 2016;5:305. https://doi.org/10.3895/rbpd.v5n2.4484.10.3895/rbpd.v5n2.4484 ↗
51. Erisman JW. How ammonia feeds and pollutes the world. Science. 2021;374:685–6. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abm3492.10.1126/science.abm3492 ↗
52. PubChem (2023) Ammonium hydroxide. In: pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ammonium-hydroxide
53. Tsoy N, Steubing B, van der Giesen C, Guinée J. Upscaling methods used in ex ante life cycle assessment of emerging technologies: a review. Int J Life Cycle Assess. 2020;25(9):1680–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-020-01796-8.10.1007/s11367-020-01796-8 ↗
54. Quéheille E, Ventura A, Saiyouri N, Taillandier F. A Life Cycle Assessment model of End-of-life scenarios for building deconstruction and waste management. J Clean Prod. 2022;339: 130694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130694.10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130694 ↗
55. Tait MW, Cheung WM. A comparative cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of three concrete mix designs. Int J Life Cycle Assess. 2016;21(6):847–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1045-5.10.1007/s11367-016-1045-5 ↗
56. James KL, Grant T, Sonneveld K. Stakeholder involvement in australian paper and packaging waste management LCA study. Int J Life Cycle Assess. 2002;7(3):151–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02994049.10.1007/bf02994049 ↗
57. Romeo D, Hischier R, Nowack B, Jolliet O, Fantke P, Wick P. In vitro-based human toxicity effect factors: challenges and opportunities for nanomaterial impact assessment. Environ Sci Nano. 2022;9:1913–25. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1en01014j.10.1039/d1en01014j ↗