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Characterization and Biocompatibility of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles
Citation:
Moulton, M. C., S. Kunzelman, L. K. Braydich-Stolle, R. S. VARMA, AND S. Hussain. Characterization and Biocompatibility of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles. Presented at 48th Annual Meeting, Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, MD, March 15 - 19, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
There are currently ~1,000 commercially available products which contain some form of silver nanotechnology, ranging from topological creams and cosmetics, to anti-microbial socks and household cleansers. Previous studies have indicated that silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have a size dependent cytotoxicity where the smaller particles are the most toxic however it has also been shown that coating the Ag NPs dramatically alters the toxicity. In light of these studies and the ever increasing probability for dermal and inhalation exposure to Ag NPs, it is imperative to create nanomaterials which can be synthesized in a cost effect, environmentally friendly manner, and pose minimal threat to workers. Therefore, the goal of this study was to synthesize biocompatible Ag NPs in an environmentally friendly manner using wet chemistry with epinephrine (Epi) as a reducing agent, and biocompatibility was assessed using the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and rat alveolar macrophages as in vitro models for dermal and inhalation exposure, respectively. Characterization was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to yield the primary particle size and morphology, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to identify agglomeration in the exposure media (EM). Biocompatibility was evaluated using Cytoviva imaging to determine internalization, the MTS assay to assess cell proliferation, and the LDH assay to evaluate membrane integrity at concentrations of 0, 50, and 100 µg/ml. The EpiAg NPs had a primary particle size of 11.5 ± 4.7nm, 25.8 ± 15.8nm, 11.9 ± 3.9nm, 17.3 ± 7.0nm, and 24.2 ± 6.5nm depending on the ratio of Ag to reducing agent (1:1, 2:1, 10:3, 10:1, and 20:1). Furthermore, all of the EpiAg NPs agglomerate to some degree once dispersed in EM. Overall, the Epi Ag NPs regardless of reducing agent ratio or size appeared not to disrupt cell proliferation despite being internalized by the cells with minor membrane disruption.
