engleski

The influence of polystyrene nanoparticles on biomarkers of effect in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Entry of plastics into the environment represents a worldwide pollution problem and is exacerbated by such plastic materials degrading into ever smaller particles, e.g. nano-sized particles (<100 nm), potentially becoming more bioavailable to organisms as well as a vector for other contaminants. Ecologically and commercially important filter feeders such as mussels are increasingly being used as sentinels due to their habitat, feeding behaviour and probability of encountering plastic particles of varying sizes which often overlap in size with natural particles of food. The aim of this work was to synthesise and characterise polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) and investigate their influence on specific biomarkers of effect, viz acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The size and morphology of the PS NPs with encapsulated ethidium bromide were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Mussels were exposed to a range of PS NPs concentrations (0 (control), 10, 50 and 100 mg/L) for 42 h and gills and digestive gland were sampled for analysis. The PS NPs induced effects on neurotransmission, measured as inhibition of AChE activity. In parallel, an increase in GST activity was determined after exposure to the nanoplastics. Overall, it is shown that exposure of M. galloprovincialis to PS NPs increases oxidative stress by impacting the normal activity of enzymes. Ultimately, this work is a step in the direction to better understanding plastic nanoparticles' toxicity on commercially important shellfish and more broadly bioaccumulation in other marine biota.

nanoplastic ; polystirene ; biomarkers ; AChE ; GST ; Mytilus galloprovincialis

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