The increasing use of nanomaterials in agriculture raises concerns regarding their entry into the food chain and subsequent human exposure. In this study, the development of a methodology for determining the bioavailability of metal nanoparticles from edible plants has been described. The fate and intestinal bioavailability of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), which can be used in agriculture and may accumulate in plant tissues, were investigated using a combination of in vitro digestion and intestinal epithelial models. Following simulated INFOGEST digestion, FeNPs were exposed to differentiated Caco-2 cells cultured on Transwell® inserts. The speciation and distribution of iron were quantitatively characterised using ICP-MS/MS, single-particle ICP-MS/MS, single-cell ICP-MS/MS, and electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that digested FeNPs exhibit complex behaviour in the intestinal environment, including adsorption to epithelial surfaces, cellular internalisation, intracellular transformation, and transepithelial transport. Dissolution into ionic iron was limited in apical and basolateral compartments, whereas a pronounced increase in ionic iron was observed within cells, indicating partial intracellular dissolution. At the same time, a substantial fraction of iron retained its nanoparticulate form and underwent intracellular accumulation, aggregation or biochemical transformation. These findings demonstrate that iron nanoparticles can cross the intestinal epithelium both as ions and as intact or transformed nanoparticles, providing important insight into nanoscale processes governing bioavailability and nanosafety within the food chain.
{"title":"Development of a methodology for investigating the bioavailability of metal nanoparticles using single-particle and single-cell ICP-MS","authors":"Zuzanna Bieniek,Julita Nowosadko,Gabriela Ułanowicz,Agnieszka Żuchowska,Magdalena Matczuk,Monika Kupiec,Lena Ruzik","doi":"10.1039/d6en00325g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00325g","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing use of nanomaterials in agriculture raises concerns regarding their entry into the food chain and subsequent human exposure. In this study, the development of a methodology for determining the bioavailability of metal nanoparticles from edible plants has been described. The fate and intestinal bioavailability of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), which can be used in agriculture and may accumulate in plant tissues, were investigated using a combination of in vitro digestion and intestinal epithelial models. Following simulated INFOGEST digestion, FeNPs were exposed to differentiated Caco-2 cells cultured on Transwell® inserts. The speciation and distribution of iron were quantitatively characterised using ICP-MS/MS, single-particle ICP-MS/MS, single-cell ICP-MS/MS, and electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that digested FeNPs exhibit complex behaviour in the intestinal environment, including adsorption to epithelial surfaces, cellular internalisation, intracellular transformation, and transepithelial transport. Dissolution into ionic iron was limited in apical and basolateral compartments, whereas a pronounced increase in ionic iron was observed within cells, indicating partial intracellular dissolution. At the same time, a substantial fraction of iron retained its nanoparticulate form and underwent intracellular accumulation, aggregation or biochemical transformation. These findings demonstrate that iron nanoparticles can cross the intestinal epithelium both as ions and as intact or transformed nanoparticles, providing important insight into nanoscale processes governing bioavailability and nanosafety within the food chain.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Le Yue,Luping Yang,Liping Kang,Liya Jiao,Jiayi Chen,Zhenggao Xiao,Xiaoli Zhang,Yan Feng,Zhenyu Wang
Tea encompasses a diverse range of bioactive compounds including theanine, catechins, and caffeine, which contribute to its rich flavor and salutary properties. Herein, the effects of manganese ferrite nanomaterials (MnFe2O4 NMs) on the yield and main bioactive components in Fuding Dabai (FDDB) tea were studied in a field experiment. 10 mg L−1 MnFe2O4 NMs boosted the tea yield (27.8%), theanine (73.7%), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG, 9.6%), caffeine (128.1%), ester catechins (18.4%) and non-ester catechins (63.6%) in tea significantly. The photosynthesis in leaves was first enhanced after the foliar application of MnFe2O4 NMs, resulting in higher soluble sugar content (increased by 38.1%) to support the metabolic processes, e.g., the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, and glutamine/glutamic acid cycle. Meanwhile, the expressions of key biosynthesis genes for theanine and catechins were up-regulated by 27.6–412.9% with MnFe2O4 NM application, eventually improving theanine and catechin contents. Furthermore, MnFe2O4 NM application facilitated more sucrose from leaves to roots and led to a shift in the rhizosphere microbiota composition. In particular, the relative abundance of nitrogen-related microbiota (Acidibacter, Roseiarcus, Devosia and Mucilaginibacter) was increased by 38.4–95.5%, subsequently enhancing the utilization of ammonium nitrogen and improving the theanine levels in tea. Combined RDA, hierarchical partitioning, and correlation analyses showed that MnFe2O4 NM-induced changes in photosynthetic traits and functional metabolites were closely correlated with rhizosphere bacterial community restructuring, and photosynthetic parameters predominantly determined the variation in tea functional components. Our study proposed an effective approach for enhancing the nutritional quality and yield of tea through nano-based strategies.
{"title":"Mechanistic insights into manganese ferrite nanomaterials for improving tea quality: photosynthetic physiology, metabolic homeostasis, and rhizosphere microbiome","authors":"Le Yue,Luping Yang,Liping Kang,Liya Jiao,Jiayi Chen,Zhenggao Xiao,Xiaoli Zhang,Yan Feng,Zhenyu Wang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00297h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00297h","url":null,"abstract":"Tea encompasses a diverse range of bioactive compounds including theanine, catechins, and caffeine, which contribute to its rich flavor and salutary properties. Herein, the effects of manganese ferrite nanomaterials (MnFe2O4 NMs) on the yield and main bioactive components in Fuding Dabai (FDDB) tea were studied in a field experiment. 10 mg L−1 MnFe2O4 NMs boosted the tea yield (27.8%), theanine (73.7%), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG, 9.6%), caffeine (128.1%), ester catechins (18.4%) and non-ester catechins (63.6%) in tea significantly. The photosynthesis in leaves was first enhanced after the foliar application of MnFe2O4 NMs, resulting in higher soluble sugar content (increased by 38.1%) to support the metabolic processes, e.g., the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, and glutamine/glutamic acid cycle. Meanwhile, the expressions of key biosynthesis genes for theanine and catechins were up-regulated by 27.6–412.9% with MnFe2O4 NM application, eventually improving theanine and catechin contents. Furthermore, MnFe2O4 NM application facilitated more sucrose from leaves to roots and led to a shift in the rhizosphere microbiota composition. In particular, the relative abundance of nitrogen-related microbiota (Acidibacter, Roseiarcus, Devosia and Mucilaginibacter) was increased by 38.4–95.5%, subsequently enhancing the utilization of ammonium nitrogen and improving the theanine levels in tea. Combined RDA, hierarchical partitioning, and correlation analyses showed that MnFe2O4 NM-induced changes in photosynthetic traits and functional metabolites were closely correlated with rhizosphere bacterial community restructuring, and photosynthetic parameters predominantly determined the variation in tea functional components. Our study proposed an effective approach for enhancing the nutritional quality and yield of tea through nano-based strategies.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anushree Ghosh,Changwoo Kim,Kurt D. Pennell,Natalie L. Cápiro,John D. Fortner
Biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids (RLs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of nanoparticle (NP) fate in natural and engineered subsurface systems. Here, we systematically evaluate how RL adsorption influences the deposition, mobility, and release behavior of surface-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), using a library of IONPs with distinct coatings including CTAB (cationic), SDS (anionic), and oleic acid (anionic). Deposition kinetics were quantified on silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and polystyrene (PS) surfaces across a range of ionic strengths (0–850 mM NaCl) using real-time quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). RL adsorption varied with surface type, with rigid, electrostatically bound monolayers formed on positively charged Al2O3, while softer, hydrated multilayers were observed on PS and SiO2. These interfacial films strongly modulated IONP deposition. On PS, CTAB-IONPs showed higher mean deposition on RL-predeposited surfaces, with the response depending on RL headgroup structure, whereas SDS- and oleic acid-coated IONPs showed enhanced mobility and partial desorption/restructuring of preadsorbed RL under salt-free conditions. In contrast, RL predeposition on Al2O3 significantly suppressed SDS-IONP deposition, decreasing attachment by nearly 170-fold at 10 mM NaCl. Classical DLVO theory could not fully account for these observations, suggesting the role of hydration, steric, and orientation-dependent interactions consistent with extended DLVO frameworks. RL preadsorption also altered the critical deposition concentration (CDC) of CTAB-IONPs, reducing it by nearly half. The addition of RLs also drove apparent release of pre-deposited anionic “soft-coated” NPs, consistent with surfactant-mediated remobilization. Taken together, these results show that biosurfactant-modified interfaces are dynamic regulators of nanoparticle retention, which is necessary for predicting IONP transport and designing remediation strategies in complex environmental media.
生物表面活性剂如鼠李糖脂（RLs）越来越被认为是自然和工程地下系统中纳米颗粒（NP）命运的关键调节剂。在这里，我们系统地评估了RL吸附如何影响表面功能化超顺磁性氧化铁纳米颗粒（IONPs）的沉积、迁移和释放行为，使用具有不同涂层的IONPs库，包括CTAB（阳离子）、SDS（阴离子）和油酸（阴离子）。利用实时石英晶体微天平和耗散监测（QCM-D），定量了二氧化硅（SiO2）、氧化铝（Al2O3）和聚苯乙烯（PS）表面在离子强度（0-850 mM NaCl）范围内的沉积动力学。RL吸附随表面类型的不同而变化，在带正电的Al2O3上形成刚性的静电结合单层，而在PS和SiO2上则形成较软的水合多层。这些界面膜强烈调节离子离子离子沉积。在PS上，CTAB-IONPs在RL预沉积表面上的平均沉积量更高，其响应取决于RL头基结构，而SDS和油酸包被的IONPs在无盐条件下对预吸附的RL表现出更强的迁移率和部分解吸/重构。相比之下，在Al2O3上预沉积RL可以显著抑制SDS-IONP的沉积，在10 mM NaCl下，SDS-IONP的附着减少了近170倍。经典的DLVO理论不能完全解释这些观察结果，这表明水化、空间和取向依赖的相互作用与扩展的DLVO框架一致。RL预吸附也改变了CTAB-IONPs的临界沉积浓度（CDC），使其降低了近一半。RLs的加入也促进了预沉积阴离子“软包覆”NPs的明显释放，这与表面活性剂介导的再活化一致。综上所述，这些结果表明，生物表面活性剂修饰的界面是纳米颗粒保留的动态调节剂，这对于预测复杂环境介质中离子迁移和设计修复策略是必要的。
{"title":"Rhamnolipids govern iron oxide nanoparticle deposition, mobility and release in subsurface-relevant aqueous systems – a QCM-D study","authors":"Anushree Ghosh,Changwoo Kim,Kurt D. Pennell,Natalie L. Cápiro,John D. Fortner","doi":"10.1039/d6en00274a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00274a","url":null,"abstract":"Biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids (RLs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of nanoparticle (NP) fate in natural and engineered subsurface systems. Here, we systematically evaluate how RL adsorption influences the deposition, mobility, and release behavior of surface-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), using a library of IONPs with distinct coatings including CTAB (cationic), SDS (anionic), and oleic acid (anionic). Deposition kinetics were quantified on silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and polystyrene (PS) surfaces across a range of ionic strengths (0–850 mM NaCl) using real-time quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). RL adsorption varied with surface type, with rigid, electrostatically bound monolayers formed on positively charged Al2O3, while softer, hydrated multilayers were observed on PS and SiO2. These interfacial films strongly modulated IONP deposition. On PS, CTAB-IONPs showed higher mean deposition on RL-predeposited surfaces, with the response depending on RL headgroup structure, whereas SDS- and oleic acid-coated IONPs showed enhanced mobility and partial desorption/restructuring of preadsorbed RL under salt-free conditions. In contrast, RL predeposition on Al2O3 significantly suppressed SDS-IONP deposition, decreasing attachment by nearly 170-fold at 10 mM NaCl. Classical DLVO theory could not fully account for these observations, suggesting the role of hydration, steric, and orientation-dependent interactions consistent with extended DLVO frameworks. RL preadsorption also altered the critical deposition concentration (CDC) of CTAB-IONPs, reducing it by nearly half. The addition of RLs also drove apparent release of pre-deposited anionic “soft-coated” NPs, consistent with surfactant-mediated remobilization. Taken together, these results show that biosurfactant-modified interfaces are dynamic regulators of nanoparticle retention, which is necessary for predicting IONP transport and designing remediation strategies in complex environmental media.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental pollution caused by the extensive use and continuous discharge of antibiotics has attracted increasing attention. As typical emerging pollutants, antibiotics exhibit environmental persistence, biological toxicity, and the ability to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. Traditional treatment technologies often fail to achieve their efficient removal and deep mineralization, creating an urgent need for efficient, green, and sustainable remediation strategies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which can generate highly reactive oxygen species in situ, have shown great potential for controlling refractory antibiotic pollution. In recent years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as important material platforms for antibiotic remediation because of their high specific surface areas, regular pore structures, designable frameworks, and abundant active sites. The adjustable metal nodes, open metal sites, and mixed-valence centers in MOFs favor oxidant activation and interfacial electron transfer, whereas COFs, with ordered π-conjugated structures, donor–acceptor frameworks, and programmable microenvironments, show unique advantages in light absorption regulation, charge separation, and selective oxidation pathway construction. This review systematically summarizes the design, synthesis, and functionalization strategies of MOFs/COFs, and discusses their applications and mechanisms in AOPs, including Fenton/Fenton-like processes, photocatalysis, ozonation, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, electrocatalysis, and sonocatalysis. Finally, key challenges such as structural stability, metal leaching, real-water adaptability, intermediate toxicity, and engineering scale-up are discussed, together with perspectives on rational material design, in situ mechanism analysis, and fixed-bed reactor applications.
{"title":"MOF/COF catalyst structure and multicomponent design: application in advanced oxidation processes for typical antibiotic wastewater treatment","authors":"Qiuyue Zhang,Hailan Qin,Shijiao Guo,Weiping Liao,Shukui Zhu","doi":"10.1039/d6en00373g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00373g","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental pollution caused by the extensive use and continuous discharge of antibiotics has attracted increasing attention. As typical emerging pollutants, antibiotics exhibit environmental persistence, biological toxicity, and the ability to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. Traditional treatment technologies often fail to achieve their efficient removal and deep mineralization, creating an urgent need for efficient, green, and sustainable remediation strategies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which can generate highly reactive oxygen species in situ, have shown great potential for controlling refractory antibiotic pollution. In recent years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as important material platforms for antibiotic remediation because of their high specific surface areas, regular pore structures, designable frameworks, and abundant active sites. The adjustable metal nodes, open metal sites, and mixed-valence centers in MOFs favor oxidant activation and interfacial electron transfer, whereas COFs, with ordered π-conjugated structures, donor–acceptor frameworks, and programmable microenvironments, show unique advantages in light absorption regulation, charge separation, and selective oxidation pathway construction. This review systematically summarizes the design, synthesis, and functionalization strategies of MOFs/COFs, and discusses their applications and mechanisms in AOPs, including Fenton/Fenton-like processes, photocatalysis, ozonation, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, electrocatalysis, and sonocatalysis. Finally, key challenges such as structural stability, metal leaching, real-water adaptability, intermediate toxicity, and engineering scale-up are discussed, together with perspectives on rational material design, in situ mechanism analysis, and fixed-bed reactor applications.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"375 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The widespread application of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has led to their accumulation in the environment, thereby raising general ecological concerns. In this study, CuO NPs were found to induce Staphylococcus aureus cells to enter the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. We integrated physiological assays with transcriptomic and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses to comprehensively characterize the molecular mechanism of bacterial responses to CuO NP exposure. This exposure caused cell membrane depolarization, the suppression of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA damage. These effects resulted in metabolic suppression and promoted the transition into the VBNC state. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the exposure to CuO NP triggered the downregulation of genes involved in protein synthesis and cell wall biogenesis, while simultaneously upregulating pathways associated with stress response, including quorum sensing and two-component systems. These synergistic responses suggested a dual strategy of energy conservation and enhanced defense in bacteria under CuO NP stress. PPI network analysis further revealed that the suppression of ribosomal functions coupled with the activation of cell wall repair-associated modules formed a molecular framework conducive to the induction of the VBNC state. In the natural environment, the CuO NP-induced VBNC state represents an adaptive survival strategy under adverse conditions. This study provides molecular- and network-level insights into the regulatory mechanisms of bacterial survival under nanoparticle stress, offering important implications for assessing the ecological risks and environmental safety of nanomaterials.
{"title":"Mechanism of CuO NP-induced transition of into the VBNC state: physiological and transcriptomic insights","authors":"Xiaoshuai Zhang,Qi An,Tianyao Jiang,Hang Yuan,Jing Mo,Xiaomei Liao,Xiangyu Guan","doi":"10.1039/d6en00552g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00552g","url":null,"abstract":"The widespread application of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has led to their accumulation in the environment, thereby raising general ecological concerns. In this study, CuO NPs were found to induce Staphylococcus aureus cells to enter the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. We integrated physiological assays with transcriptomic and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses to comprehensively characterize the molecular mechanism of bacterial responses to CuO NP exposure. This exposure caused cell membrane depolarization, the suppression of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA damage. These effects resulted in metabolic suppression and promoted the transition into the VBNC state. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the exposure to CuO NP triggered the downregulation of genes involved in protein synthesis and cell wall biogenesis, while simultaneously upregulating pathways associated with stress response, including quorum sensing and two-component systems. These synergistic responses suggested a dual strategy of energy conservation and enhanced defense in bacteria under CuO NP stress. PPI network analysis further revealed that the suppression of ribosomal functions coupled with the activation of cell wall repair-associated modules formed a molecular framework conducive to the induction of the VBNC state. In the natural environment, the CuO NP-induced VBNC state represents an adaptive survival strategy under adverse conditions. This study provides molecular- and network-level insights into the regulatory mechanisms of bacterial survival under nanoparticle stress, offering important implications for assessing the ecological risks and environmental safety of nanomaterials.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"145 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The biologically mediated formation of semiconductor nanostructures exhibiting quantum-dot-like optical properties offers a potentially sustainable route to producing functional nanomaterials. In this study, we investigate the formation of Cd/Te-containing nanostructures with quantum-dot-like optical features produced in vivo by the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta following exposure to cadmium chloride and potassium tellurite. Using an integrative suite of techniques, we provide a multimodal characterisation of these biogenic Cd/Te-containing nanostructures, elucidating their structural, optical, and biological features. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed electron-dense Cd/Te-containing nanoscale particles with well-defined morphology, averaging 9.5 ± 3.7 nm in chloragogenous tissue and 5.5 ± 1.8 nm in coelomic fluid. Elemental mapping identified co-localised cadmium and tellurium accumulation across multiple biological compartments, coinciding with metallothionein-II gene induction (up to ∼47-fold in the chloragogenous tissue) as well as a marked increase in protein expression. Photoluminescence spectroscopy demonstrated dual fluorescence peaks at 422 nm and 522 nm, providing optical features consistent with nanoparticle-associated emission, although these data alone do not confirm quantum confinement. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy revealed modest lifetime shifts consistent with nanoparticle-associated emission, while also indicating substantial contributions from biological autofluorescence. This study advances current understanding by linking metal detoxification pathways with nanoparticle formation in vivo and by extending observations of biosynthesis beyond previously reported tissues, highlighting the capacity of earthworms to mediate the formation of Cd/Te-containing nanostructures in vivo, providing a basis for future investigations of biologically mediated nanomaterial synthesis. Our findings further suggest that biologically mediated nanoparticle formation may influence the environmental fate and transformation of metal contaminants in soil ecosystems and may inform future research into bioimaging, environmental sensing, and biologically inspired nanotechnology.
{"title":"Biologically mediated formation of Cd/Te-containing nanostructures in earthworms: a multimodal characterisation","authors":"Norah Alkhayyal,Shirwa Awale,Carl Hobbs,Simon Fairclough,Klaus Suhling,Mark Green,Stephen Stürzenbaum","doi":"10.1039/d6en00395h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00395h","url":null,"abstract":"The biologically mediated formation of semiconductor nanostructures exhibiting quantum-dot-like optical properties offers a potentially sustainable route to producing functional nanomaterials. In this study, we investigate the formation of Cd/Te-containing nanostructures with quantum-dot-like optical features produced in vivo by the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta following exposure to cadmium chloride and potassium tellurite. Using an integrative suite of techniques, we provide a multimodal characterisation of these biogenic Cd/Te-containing nanostructures, elucidating their structural, optical, and biological features. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed electron-dense Cd/Te-containing nanoscale particles with well-defined morphology, averaging 9.5 ± 3.7 nm in chloragogenous tissue and 5.5 ± 1.8 nm in coelomic fluid. Elemental mapping identified co-localised cadmium and tellurium accumulation across multiple biological compartments, coinciding with metallothionein-II gene induction (up to ∼47-fold in the chloragogenous tissue) as well as a marked increase in protein expression. Photoluminescence spectroscopy demonstrated dual fluorescence peaks at 422 nm and 522 nm, providing optical features consistent with nanoparticle-associated emission, although these data alone do not confirm quantum confinement. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy revealed modest lifetime shifts consistent with nanoparticle-associated emission, while also indicating substantial contributions from biological autofluorescence. This study advances current understanding by linking metal detoxification pathways with nanoparticle formation in vivo and by extending observations of biosynthesis beyond previously reported tissues, highlighting the capacity of earthworms to mediate the formation of Cd/Te-containing nanostructures in vivo, providing a basis for future investigations of biologically mediated nanomaterial synthesis. Our findings further suggest that biologically mediated nanoparticle formation may influence the environmental fate and transformation of metal contaminants in soil ecosystems and may inform future research into bioimaging, environmental sensing, and biologically inspired nanotechnology.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"83 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the last years, the massive production of nano-enabled products has raised concerns about potential hazardous effects of nanoforms on humans and, broadly, on the environment. On these grounds, a broad spectrum of stakeholders (manufacturers, researchers, regulators, policy makers) has advocated the adoption of the safety-by-design (SbD) approach for the production of nanomaterials and nano-enabled products. The characteristic of SbD is the assessment and minimization of risks in the design phase of a nano-enabled product, in sharp contrast with conventional risk assessment and management that evaluates and manages safety only after a product has been realized or even marketed. The hurdles in implementing the SbD scheme in nanotechnology come mostly from limited information available at an early stage of materials and product development. This work is framed within the safety by design (SbD) paradigm, which represents the foundational layer of the broader safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework proposed by the OECD. The analysis of existing knowledge, however, makes it possible to formulate, on the basis of the physical–chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles and nano-enabled products, hypotheses about the most probable sources of risks (hazards and/or release), which will inform, up front, about physical and chemical transformations that lead to safer materials and products. In addition to a catalogue of these physical chemical modifications, this paper proposes a decision process to identify the most appropriate transformations that minimize risks while preserving the technical function of the nanoforms. The connection of these physical–chemical transformations with outcomes of toxicological assays and release tests provides a powerful tool for checking the effectiveness of the SbD strategy adopted.
{"title":"Towards a safe nanotechnology: strategies for minimizing risks of potentially harmful nanoparticles","authors":"Camilla Delpivo,Virginia Cazzagon,Ilaria Zanoni,Simon Clavaguera,Nathan Bossa,Socorro Vazquez-Campos,Anna Luisa Costa,Felice C. Simeone","doi":"10.1039/d5en00991j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00991j","url":null,"abstract":"In the last years, the massive production of nano-enabled products has raised concerns about potential hazardous effects of nanoforms on humans and, broadly, on the environment. On these grounds, a broad spectrum of stakeholders (manufacturers, researchers, regulators, policy makers) has advocated the adoption of the safety-by-design (SbD) approach for the production of nanomaterials and nano-enabled products. The characteristic of SbD is the assessment and minimization of risks in the design phase of a nano-enabled product, in sharp contrast with conventional risk assessment and management that evaluates and manages safety only after a product has been realized or even marketed. The hurdles in implementing the SbD scheme in nanotechnology come mostly from limited information available at an early stage of materials and product development. This work is framed within the safety by design (SbD) paradigm, which represents the foundational layer of the broader safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework proposed by the OECD. The analysis of existing knowledge, however, makes it possible to formulate, on the basis of the physical–chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles and nano-enabled products, hypotheses about the most probable sources of risks (hazards and/or release), which will inform, up front, about physical and chemical transformations that lead to safer materials and products. In addition to a catalogue of these physical chemical modifications, this paper proposes a decision process to identify the most appropriate transformations that minimize risks while preserving the technical function of the nanoforms. The connection of these physical–chemical transformations with outcomes of toxicological assays and release tests provides a powerful tool for checking the effectiveness of the SbD strategy adopted.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nanoscale and colloidal particles often acquire “eco-coronas” of naturally occurring macromolecules that can strongly modify their aggregation behavior. However, quantitative models are lacking to predict the degree of colloidal stability afforded by eco-coronas of variable surface coverage or composition. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate new approaches to predict the attachment efficiency of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles coated with Suwannee River natural organic matter and bovine serum albumin, individually and in mixtures, in a moderately hard water background (pH 8, net negative zeta potentials). Semi-empirical approaches based on extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (EDLVO) theory and coagulation kinetics theory were developed to model TiO2 aggregation in the individual coatings at varying degrees of surface saturation, then extended to model mixed coatings of varied composition. The best iteration of this approach predicted attachment efficiencies with the mixed coatings with R2 = 0.96, although limitations included uncertainty in the model inputs, assumptions regarding the layer structure, and the need for measured zeta potentials and a fitted scaling factor. Alternatively, an empirical model was proposed that predicted TiO2 aggregation in the mixed coatings with R2 = 0.96, given the adsorption isotherms and calibration based on aggregation in the individual coatings. This research demonstrates that the EDLVO framework can be implemented to quantify the effects of heterogeneous eco-coronas on TiO2 nanoparticle aggregation rates, while also introducing a simple empirical approach to predict TiO2 aggregation rates in complex environmental media.
{"title":"Semi-empirical and empirical models to predict colloidal stability of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with heterogeneous eco-coronas","authors":"Riya A. Mathew,Stacey M. Louie","doi":"10.1039/d6en00548a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00548a","url":null,"abstract":"Nanoscale and colloidal particles often acquire “eco-coronas” of naturally occurring macromolecules that can strongly modify their aggregation behavior. However, quantitative models are lacking to predict the degree of colloidal stability afforded by eco-coronas of variable surface coverage or composition. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate new approaches to predict the attachment efficiency of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles coated with Suwannee River natural organic matter and bovine serum albumin, individually and in mixtures, in a moderately hard water background (pH 8, net negative zeta potentials). Semi-empirical approaches based on extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (EDLVO) theory and coagulation kinetics theory were developed to model TiO2 aggregation in the individual coatings at varying degrees of surface saturation, then extended to model mixed coatings of varied composition. The best iteration of this approach predicted attachment efficiencies with the mixed coatings with R2 = 0.96, although limitations included uncertainty in the model inputs, assumptions regarding the layer structure, and the need for measured zeta potentials and a fitted scaling factor. Alternatively, an empirical model was proposed that predicted TiO2 aggregation in the mixed coatings with R2 = 0.96, given the adsorption isotherms and calibration based on aggregation in the individual coatings. This research demonstrates that the EDLVO framework can be implemented to quantify the effects of heterogeneous eco-coronas on TiO2 nanoparticle aggregation rates, while also introducing a simple empirical approach to predict TiO2 aggregation rates in complex environmental media.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the environment, nanoplastics are covered with a conditioning film composed of various biomolecules present in the surrounding medium. The environmental behavior of nanoplastics in aquatic systems is therefore strongly influenced by the interactions established with these macromolecules. However, these interactions and, more broadly, the role of the eco-corona on nanoplastics are not yet well understood. In this study, the formation of biomolecular coronas on model nanoparticles of polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) was investigated, with a particular focus on their stabilization in saline environments. Three biomolecules were selected as stabilizers: bovine serum albumin, ulvans, and extracellular polymeric substances derived from marine microorganisms. The adsorption processes, corona thickness and colloidal stability were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was observed that polysaccharides were adsorbed in the form of multilayers, while proteins mainly formed monolayers. Furthermore, the formation of a stable corona was found to prevent aggregation and maintain colloidal behavior in seawater without adding other surfactants. This work provides new insights into the role played by macromolecules in the biofilm matrix in modulating the transport and potential impacts of nanoplastics in marine environments.
{"title":"From aggregation to stabilization: the role of biomolecular corona formation on polyethylene nanoparticles in saline environments","authors":"Lea Jacquin,Thomas Perrault,Guillaume Brotons,Muriel Lansalot,Élodie Bourgeat-Lami,Vincent Monteil,Fabrice Brunel","doi":"10.1039/d6en00626d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00626d","url":null,"abstract":"In the environment, nanoplastics are covered with a conditioning film composed of various biomolecules present in the surrounding medium. The environmental behavior of nanoplastics in aquatic systems is therefore strongly influenced by the interactions established with these macromolecules. However, these interactions and, more broadly, the role of the eco-corona on nanoplastics are not yet well understood. In this study, the formation of biomolecular coronas on model nanoparticles of polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) was investigated, with a particular focus on their stabilization in saline environments. Three biomolecules were selected as stabilizers: bovine serum albumin, ulvans, and extracellular polymeric substances derived from marine microorganisms. The adsorption processes, corona thickness and colloidal stability were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was observed that polysaccharides were adsorbed in the form of multilayers, while proteins mainly formed monolayers. Furthermore, the formation of a stable corona was found to prevent aggregation and maintain colloidal behavior in seawater without adding other surfactants. This work provides new insights into the role played by macromolecules in the biofilm matrix in modulating the transport and potential impacts of nanoplastics in marine environments.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Cristina Preisler,Giovanna Camargo do Carmo,Amanda Martins Dionisio,Rafael Caetano da Silva,Joana Claudio Pieretti,Roberta Albino dos Reis,Alex Carvalho Alavarse,Weslley Souza Sales,Waldiceu A. Verri, Jr,Zsuzsanna Kolbert,Amedea Barozzi Seabra,Halley Caixeta Oliveira
Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that participates in several physiological processes in plants. Its exogenous application requires the use of NO donors, such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). However, these compounds present relative instability in the environment. Thus, the use of nanocarriers appears to be a promising alternative for the application of NO donors in agriculture, but there is still a knowledge gap related to the interaction mechanisms between nanomaterials and plants. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of NO-releasing chitosan nanoparticles with roots, and their impact on the homeostasis of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species in soybean (Glycine max), as a globally important crop. The treatments were control (distilled water), chitosan nanoparticles containing GSNO (NP CS-GSNO), chitosan nanoparticles containing non-nitrosated glutathione (NP CS-GSH), and free GSNO, for two exposure intervals (30 min and 24 h). GSNO/GSH were applied to the root system of hydroponically-grown plants at 100 μM. Nanoparticles were labelled with rhodamine B to enable their detection in roots by confocal spectral microscopy. NO levels in roots were visualised simultaneously using the fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA). Treatment with NP CS-GSNO induced the highest DAF-triazole fluorescence, particularly at 30 min, which was quenched by the NO scavenger cPTIO, supporting the NO-association of the observed signal. It was possible to localize the rhodamine-related fluorescence within the roots treated with nanoparticles at both time-points, although the intensity increased after 24 h. There was a high percentage of co-localization between DAF-2DA and rhodamine fluorescence in roots. After 30 min, NP CS-GSNO induced an increase in root hydrogen peroxide levels, while a significant reduction was observed after 24 hours compared to the control. The content of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) in the roots was significantly higher for the NP CS-GSNO and NP CS-GSH treatments after 30 min, compared with the other treatments. At 24 h, root RSNO content was approximately 30% higher in the NP CS-GSNO treatment compared to free GSNO. The results obtained here suggest an association of GSNO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles with root tissues and support enhanced NO bioavailability compared with free GSNO. These findings highlight the potential of nanotechnology in agriculture and draw attention to the need for detailed studies on the fate of nanoparticles in plant systems.
{"title":"Nanodelivery of nitric oxide donors improves uptake and redox balance in soybean roots","authors":"Ana Cristina Preisler,Giovanna Camargo do Carmo,Amanda Martins Dionisio,Rafael Caetano da Silva,Joana Claudio Pieretti,Roberta Albino dos Reis,Alex Carvalho Alavarse,Weslley Souza Sales,Waldiceu A. Verri, Jr,Zsuzsanna Kolbert,Amedea Barozzi Seabra,Halley Caixeta Oliveira","doi":"10.1039/d5en01199j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01199j","url":null,"abstract":"Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that participates in several physiological processes in plants. Its exogenous application requires the use of NO donors, such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). However, these compounds present relative instability in the environment. Thus, the use of nanocarriers appears to be a promising alternative for the application of NO donors in agriculture, but there is still a knowledge gap related to the interaction mechanisms between nanomaterials and plants. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of NO-releasing chitosan nanoparticles with roots, and their impact on the homeostasis of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species in soybean (Glycine max), as a globally important crop. The treatments were control (distilled water), chitosan nanoparticles containing GSNO (NP CS-GSNO), chitosan nanoparticles containing non-nitrosated glutathione (NP CS-GSH), and free GSNO, for two exposure intervals (30 min and 24 h). GSNO/GSH were applied to the root system of hydroponically-grown plants at 100 μM. Nanoparticles were labelled with rhodamine B to enable their detection in roots by confocal spectral microscopy. NO levels in roots were visualised simultaneously using the fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA). Treatment with NP CS-GSNO induced the highest DAF-triazole fluorescence, particularly at 30 min, which was quenched by the NO scavenger cPTIO, supporting the NO-association of the observed signal. It was possible to localize the rhodamine-related fluorescence within the roots treated with nanoparticles at both time-points, although the intensity increased after 24 h. There was a high percentage of co-localization between DAF-2DA and rhodamine fluorescence in roots. After 30 min, NP CS-GSNO induced an increase in root hydrogen peroxide levels, while a significant reduction was observed after 24 hours compared to the control. The content of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) in the roots was significantly higher for the NP CS-GSNO and NP CS-GSH treatments after 30 min, compared with the other treatments. At 24 h, root RSNO content was approximately 30% higher in the NP CS-GSNO treatment compared to free GSNO. The results obtained here suggest an association of GSNO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles with root tissues and support enhanced NO bioavailability compared with free GSNO. These findings highlight the potential of nanotechnology in agriculture and draw attention to the need for detailed studies on the fate of nanoparticles in plant systems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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