Toxicological effects of lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite nanocomposite in Artemia salina and Lamellidens marginalis.

Abstract

The biological safety of lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) nanomaterial, an emerging perovskite material with increasing applications in energy and electrochemical technologies, remains inadequately explored. Besides exploring energy conversion technologies, the presented study aims to investigate the potential of LSCF nanomaterials for its toxicological effects against aquatic organisms. About 27 nm and face-centered cubic crystalline perovskite structured LSCF nanomaterial was synthesized and characterized through electron and spectroscopic microscopy analyses, which defined the oxygen-vacancy-rich lattice through Raman and FTIR results indicating its LSCF's potential in various applications. The biocompatibility of LSCF was assessed by exposing Artemia salina to different concentrations of LSCF followed by microscopic examination. The findings indicated the absence of acute morphological damage or mortality across different exposure levels. From the exposure of Lamellidens marginalis to increasing LSCF dosages (25-100 mg/L), toxicological reactions were evaluated using organ- and hemolymph-specific biochemical markers. Markers of oxidative stress in the digestive gland escalated in a dose-dependent fashion, along with a reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity, signifying neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. The biphasic responses of antioxidant enzymes in the gill indicated an initial adaptive resistance, succeeded by enzyme depletion at heightened doses. The activation of xenobiotic metabolism and innate immunity was evidenced by elevated glutathione S-transferase activity in the gill, altered plasma protein levels, and increased phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase activities in hemolymph, indicating detoxification and systemic responses. The experimental results demonstrated no acute morphological damage or mortality in A. salina across the tested LSCF concentrations (25-100 mg/L), indicating short-term tolerance. As the dosage increases, the LSCF nanomaterial induces oxidative stress, neurotoxicity responses, immunological reactions, and detoxification. The exposure of L. marginalis to LSCF within the same concentration range (25-100 mg/L) resulted in dose-dependent biochemical responses, including increased oxidative stress, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, altered antioxidant defense, and activation of detoxification and innate immune responses. The research presented emphasized the importance of investigating the dose-dependent LSCF exposure to living organisms, providing preliminary insights into their biological responses and emphasizing the need for further safety and biocompatibility assessments.

Abstract as supplied by the indexing source. © the authors / publisher.