Metallic nano-composite toxicity evaluation by zebrafish embryo toxicity test with identification of specific exposure biomarkers

NanoMaterials (NM) have different shape and can be composed of different materials such as carbon, silicon and some metals like gold, silver and titanium. They are used as fillers, catalysts, semiconductors, cosmetics, drug carriers in medicine, energy storage and antifriction coatings. NM are the parent compounds of Nanoparticles (NPs) that may be divided into 2 groups: fullerenes and engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). After crossing the cell membrane, NPs may be stored in vesicles, mitochondria and additional organelles within epithelial cells. They may generate reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity and denaturation of proteins, apoptosis and necrosis. Nowadays, new toxicological data are required to assess the potential exposure of pollutants to the environment and human beings. The aim of present investigation is to evaluate the toxicity of the metallic nano-composite by zebrafish embryo toxicity test (ZFET). The methods described here can be easily adapted on other nanocomposite or nanomaterials adopting some measures.