Effects of selenium nanoparticle on the growth performance and nutritional quality in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Selenium is an important micronutrient that has antioxidant, growth potential, and reproduction enhancement abilities in various organisms. The aquaculture industry is a significant contributor towards meeting the dietary requirements of a majority of the global population, which further warrants developing novel approaches for enhancing the production of dietary fish. This study was performed to assess the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings (1 gm in average weight and 2.75 cm in average length) upon nano-selenium (Se-Nps) supplementation. Nanoselenium was synthesized using high-energy ball milling (HEBM) using a 10-hour dry milling technique at 10:1 ball-to-powder ratio (BPR), size characterized by XRD and TEM, followed by mixing with basal feed in desired concentrations (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 2 mg/kg) and administration to Nile tilapia fingerlings for 30 days, followed by the evaluation of growth performance parameters, fatty acid profile analysis using GC-MS, and nutritional quality index (NQI): [Thrombogenicity Index (IT), Atherogenicity Index (IA), n-3/n-6, n-6/n-3)]. Nile tilapia supplemented with 1 mg/kg Se-Nps showed improved growth performance (RGR: 1576.04%, SGR: 4.70%, and FCR: 1.91), demonstrated by higher survivability (> 95%), isometric growth (coefficient of allometry, b = 2.81), and higher weight gain compared to control (RGR: 680.41%, SGR: 3.42%, and FCR: 1.31), 0.5 mg/kg Se-Nps (RGR: 770.83%, SGR: 3.61%, and FCR: 1.18) and 2 mg/kg Se-Nps (RGR: 383.67%, SGR: 2.63%, and FCR: 1.22). The average length-weight relationship assessed as the condition factor (K) was highest in the 1 mg/kg Se-Nps group compared to others (p < 0.05). GC-MS analysis revealed that Nile tilapia supplemented with 1 mg/kg Se-Nps showed better meat quality, higher amount of n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, high PUFA/SAFA ratios (1.35) and n-3/n-6 (0.33) ratios, with low atherogenicity index (0.36) and thrombogenic index (0.44), and relatively low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio (3.00) compared to other groups. Overall, Se-Nps supplementation at 1 mg/kg enhanced the growth performance and meat quality in Nile tilapia, and therefore could be a potential growth-promoting micronutrient for aquaculture enhancement.

Selenium and Zinc Oxide Multinutrient Supplementation Enhanced Growth Performance in Zebra Fish by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Growth-Related Gene Expression.

Selenium and zinc are important dietary micronutrients having antimicrobial and antioxidant roles, thereby assisting in normal development, and an enhanced immune system. Supplementation of selenium and zinc for enhancing the growth performance and reproductive capacity in fish was explored in this study. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) using a 10-h dry milling technique at a 10:1 ball-to-powder ratio (BPR) and were premixed with basal feed followed by the administration to adult zebra fish (D. rerio) (2 months old) for 30 days. Growth analysis revealed that zebra fish fed with SeNPs + ZnONPs (2 mg/ kg, equimolar mixture) had significantly higher length and weight than only SeNP (2 mg/ kg) or ZnONP (2 mg/ kg) groups and control zebra fish (p < 0.05). The average length-weight relationships were assessed by estimating the condition factor (C), which was highest in the SeNP + ZnONP group (1.96), followed by a downward trend in SeNP (C = 1.15) and ZnONP (1.11) (p < 0.05). Relative gene expression of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 was significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP group compared to other groups (p < 0.05), which indicated that combined administration of both the nanoparticles in basal feed enhanced the growth performance of zebra fish. Intracellular ROS generation was low in the combined group, followed by control, SeNP, and ZnONP groups, indicating higher concentrations of both nanoparticles, in particular, ZnONPs induced oxidative stress. Fecundity and the development of fertilized embryos were significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP-treated zebra fish compared to only the SeNP- or ZnONP-treated group or control (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that supplementation of SeNP + ZnONP in basal feed could considerably improve the growth performance and development of zebra fish which could be exploited for enhancing aquaculture production.

Nanoscale structure-property relations in Sm modified lead zirconate titanate.

Nanocrystalline ferroelectric Pb0.92Sm0.08(Zr0.53Ti0.47)0.98O3 with high dielectric constant has been synthesized by mechanical alloying (high energy ball milling). The ferroelectric material exhibits novel behavior when its crystallite size falls below a critical length scale of 40 nm. We observed phenomena such as significant decrease in dielectric constant and phase transition from Tetragonal to Cubic structure on reduction in crystallite size below 40 nm.

Altered electrical properties with controlled copper doping in ZnO nanoparticles infers their cytotoxicity in macrophages by ROS induction and apoptosis.

The present study reports the regulation of cytotoxicity of Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles in macrophages (RAW 264.7) due to altered physiochemical properties changes like electrical properties by controlled doping of Cu in ZnO. Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by High Energy Ball Milling technique (HEBM) and formed single phase Zn1-xCuxO (x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) were called as pure ZnO, Cu1%, 2%, 3% respectively. Hexagonal wurtzite structure with size range of 22-26 nm was verified. FE-SEM with EDX analysis indicated the Cu doping effect on the surface morphology of ZnO. Zeta potential of Zn1-xCuxO was found to be elevated with increase in doping percentage of Cu (-36.6 mV to +18.2 mV). Dielectric constant was found to be decreased with increasing doping percentage. Increase in doping percentage enhanced cytotoxicity of Zn1-xCuxO in macrophages with LC50 of 62 µg/ml, 51 µg/ml, 40 µg/ml, 32 µg/ml. Granularity change of macrophages suggested doping influenced cellular uptake as consequence of zeta potential and dielectric properties changes. 3% Cu doped ZnO shown a higher ROS signal and apoptosis than 2% and 1% Cu doping with exhibition of ROS scavenging nature leading to apoptosis of prepared Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles. Our findings revealed mechanism of cytotoxicity of Zn1-xCuxO as a consequence of alteration in electric properties eliciting ROS scavenging leading to higher apoptosis with increasing doping percentage of Cu in ZnO.

Molecular insights to alkaline based bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles for inverse cytotoxicity and enhanced antibacterial activity.

High demand for silver nanoparticles due to their extensive applications in different field has raised need of eco-friendly green synthesis with determined biomedical effects. This study proposes a novel rapid controlled alkaline based green synthesis of antibacterial silver nanoparticles from Calotropis gigantea for reduced cytotoxic effects. Silver nanoparticles termed as FAg, FAg1N, and FAg5N were synthesized with the help of floral extract of Calotropis gigantea as reducing and capping agent in presence of UV light and NaOH for catalysis and were characterized for their physiochemical properties by FESEM, DLS, UV-Visible spectrophotometry and FTIR. Facile synthesized Silver nanoparticles FAg1N and FAg5N showed enhanced antibacterial effects than FAg with increased NaOH concentration. Cytotoxic effect was found to be reduced at optimized alkaline conditioned FAg1N than FAg and FAg5N. Molecular dynamics study depicted the significant role of configurational change in "Calotropin" at variable alkalinity for controlling the size and physiological properties of synthesized AgNPs. The mechanism of cytotoxicity was revealed as consequences of variability in the interaction of Sod1 and P53 proteins with AgNPs surface for oxidative stress induction and programmed cell death.

Mechanistic Insight into Size-Dependent Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Industrial Antibacterial Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles on Colon Cells Because of Reactive Oxygen Species Quenching and Neutral Lipid Alteration.

This study evaluates the impact of industrially prepared TiO2 nanoparticles on the biological system by using an in vitro model of colon cancer cell lines (HCT116). Industrial synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles was mimicked on the lab scale by the high-energy ball milling method by milling bulk titanium oxide particles for 5, 10, and 15 h in an ambient environment. The physiochemical characterization by field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and UV-visible spectroscopy revealed alteration in the size and surface charge with respect to increase in the milling time. The size was found to be reduced to 82 ± 14, 66 ± 12, and 42 ± 10 nm in 5, 10, and 15 h milled nano TiO2 from 105 ± 12 nm of bulk TiO2, whereas the zeta potential increased along with the milling time in all biological media. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays performed with HCT116 cell lines by MTT assay, oxidative stress, intracellular lipid analysis, apoptosis, and cell cycle estimation depicted cytotoxicity as a consequence of reactive oxygen species quenching and lipid accumulation, inducing significant apoptosis and genotoxic cytotoxicity. In silico analysis depicted the role of Sod1, Sod2, p53, and VLDR proteins-TiO2 hydrogen bond interaction having a key role in determining the cytotoxicity. The particles exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

Rapid Novel Facile Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles From Bacterial Release Induce Biogenicity and Concentration Dependent In Vivo Cytotoxicity With Embryonic Zebrafish-A Mechanistic Insight.

In this study, rapid one step facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was done using culture supernatant of two Gram positive (B. thuringiensis and S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium [STAgNP]) bacterial strains and were termed as "Bacillus thuringiensis," "Staphylococcus aureus," "Escherichia coli," and "STAgNP," respectively. Synthesized AgNPs were well characterized with the help of different standard techniques like FESEM, DLS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. Mechanism of AgNPs synthesis was elucidated using in silico approach. In vivo cytotoxicity of synthesized AgNPs was assessed in embryonic Zebrafish model with the help of uptake, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induction experimental assays, and the mechanism was investigated through in silico approach at the molecular level. The result showed successful biosynthesis of 20-40 nm sized AgNPs stable with zeta potential of - 45 to - 35 mV having standard silver nanoparticles SPR peaks due to the interaction of reduced silver particles with amino acid residues of bapA proteins of the bacterial supernatant. In vivo cytotoxicity with embryonic Zebrafish was found to be dependent on biogenicity and concentration of biosynthesized AgNPs as consequence of oxidative stress induction and apoptosis due to the influential regulation of sod1 and tp53 genes clarified by pathway analysis with reference to experimental and computational results. The study suggested that cytotoxicity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles from bacteria depends on strain specificity with significant difference in use of Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains.

Mechanistic insight into ROS and neutral lipid alteration induced toxicity in the human model with fins (Danio rerio) by industrially synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

The toxicological impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on the environment and human health has been extensively studied in the last few decades, but the mechanistic details were unknown. In this study, we evaluated the impact of industrially prepared TiO2 nanoparticles on the biological system using zebrafish embryo as an in vivo model. The industrial synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles was mimicked on the lab scale using the high energy ball milling (HEBM) method by milling bulk TiO2 particles for 5 h, 10 h, and 15 h in an ambient environment. The physiochemical properties were characterized by standard methods like field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. In vivo cytotoxicity was assessed on zebrafish embryos by the evaluation of their mortality rate and hatching rate. Experimental and computational analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, apoptosis, and neutral lipid alteration was done to study the effects on the cellular level of zebrafish larvae. The analysis depicted the change in size and surface charge of TiO2 nanoparticles with respect to the increase in milling time. In silico investigations revealed the significant role of ROS quenching and altered neutral lipid accumulation functionalised by the molecular interaction of respective metabolic proteins in the cytotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles with zebrafish embryos. The results reveal the hidden effect of industrially synthesized TiO2 nanoparticle exposure on the alteration of lipid accumulation and ROS in developing zebrafish embryos. Moreover, the assessment provided a detailed mechanistic analysis of in vivo cytotoxicity at the molecular level.

Altered physiochemical properties in industrially synthesized ZnO nanoparticles regulate oxidative stress; induce in vivo cytotoxicity in embryonic zebrafish by apoptosis.

This study investigates the in vivo cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized at industrial scale with embryonic Zebrafish. Industrial synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was mimicked at lab scale by high energy ball milling technique by milling bulk ZnO particles for 15 h. Synthesized 7 h and 10 h ZnO nanoparticles showed significant alteration of size, zeta potential and optical properties in comparison to Bulk ZnO. Mortality and hatching rate in Zebrafish embryos were influenced by these alterations. Size and charge dependent effect of ZnO nanoparticles exposure on physiology and development of Zebrafish embryos were evident by malfunctioned organ development and abnormal heartbeat rate. Similar dependency on quenching of ROS due to influential hydrogen bond interaction with glycine residue of Sod1 oxidative stress protein and increased apoptosis were observed in cells. The study revealed the mechanism of cytotoxicity in exposed embryonic Zebrafish as an effect of accumulation and internalization inside cells instigating to generation of hypoxic condition and interference with the normal adaptive stress regulation signaling pathways leading towards enhanced apoptosis. The study revealed hidden size and charge dependent in vivo cytotoxicity mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles in Zebrafish embryos insight of the environmental and clinical importance of attention on industrially synthesized ZnO nanoparticles.

Defect structure in aliovalently-doped and isovalently-substituted PbTiO3 nano-powders.

The defect structure of Fe(3+)-, Cu(2+)-, Mn(4+)- and Gd(3+)-doped PbTiO(3) nano-powders has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Analogous to the situation for 'bulk' ferroelectrics, Fe(3+) and Cu(2+) act as acceptor-type functional centers that form defect complexes with charge-compensating oxygen vacancies. The corresponding defect dipoles are aligned along the direction of spontaneous polarization, P(S), and possess an additional defect polarization, P(D). Upon the transition to the nano-regime, the defect structure is modified such that orientations perpendicular to P(S), [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] also become realized. Moreover, the binding energy for the defect complexes is lowered such that instead 'free' Fe'(Ti) and V··(O)-centers are formed. As a consequence, the concentration of mobile V··(O) that enhances the ionic conductivity through drift diffusion is increased for the nano-powders. Finally, in the nano-regime the ferroelectric 'hardening' is expected to be considerably decreased as compared to the 'bulk' compounds. In contrast to the acceptor-type dopants, the donor-type Gd(3+) dopant is incorporated as an 'isolated' functional center, where charge compensation by means of lead vacancies is performed in distant coordination spheres.