A comparative study on chitosan nanoparticle synthesis methodologies for application in aquaculture through toxicity studies

• Main Authors: Subashni Bhoopathy, Dhinakaraswamy Inbakandan, Rajendran Thirugnanasambandam, Chandrasekaran Kumar, Pavithra Sampath, Ramalingam Bethunaickan, Vasantharaja Raguraman, Ganesh Kumar Vijayakumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-06-01
• Series: IET Nanobiotechnology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1049/nbt2.12047

Abstract Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been recently used for various applications in aquaculture, especially as drug carriers. The aim of this study was to synthesise and investigate a superlative method of CSNP synthesis for application in aquaculture through aquaculture‐based toxicology screening methods. Two different methods were analysed: the first a direct ionic gelation method (A) and the other involving a low‐molecular‐weight chitosan microparticle intermediate method (B). Dynamic light scattering characterisation revealed that the CSNP particle sizes were 192.7 ± 11.8 and 22.9 nm from methods A and B, respectively. The LC50 values for brine shrimp toxicity were found to be 1.51 and 0.02 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Acute toxicity studies in Litopenaeus vannamei rendered LC50 values of 3235.94 and 2884.03 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Zebrafish toxicity studies revealed mortality rates of 21.67% and 55% at 20 mg/L concentration for methods A and B, respectively, with an increased expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species in method B. From these findings, it can be concluded that a comparatively reduced toxicity of CSNPs derived from ionic gelation method makes it more appropriate for application in aquaculture.