Toxicity and mechanisms of action of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in living organisms

【摘要】 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles（TiO₂ NPs） are one of the most widely used nanomaterials in the consumer products, agriculture, and energy sectors. Their large demand and widespread applications will inevitably cause damage to organisms and ecosystems. A better understanding of TiO₂ NP toxicity in living organisms may promote risk assessment and safe use practices of these nanomaterials. This review summarizes the toxic effects of TiO₂ NPs on multiple taxa of microorganisms, algae, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The mechanism of TiO₂ NP toxicity to organisms can be outlined in three aspects: The Reactive Oxygen Species（ROS）produced by TiO₂ NPs following the induction of electron–hole pairs; cell wall damage and lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane caused by NP-cell attachment by electrostatic force owing to the large surface area of TiO₂ NPs; and TiO₂ NP attachment to intracellular organelles and biological macromolecules following damage to the cell membranes.更多还原

【Abstract】 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles（TiO₂ NPs） are one of the most widely used nanomaterials in the consumer products, agriculture, and energy sectors. Their large demand and widespread applications will inevitably cause damage to organisms and ecosystems. A better understanding of TiO₂ NP toxicity in living organisms may promote risk assessment and safe use practices of these nanomaterials. This review summarizes the toxic effects of TiO₂ NPs on multiple taxa of microorganisms, algae, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The mechanism of TiO₂ NP toxicity to organisms can be outlined in three aspects: The Reactive Oxygen Species（ROS）produced by TiO₂ NPs following the induction of electron–hole pairs; cell wall damage and lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane caused by NP-cell attachment by electrostatic force owing to the large surface area of TiO₂ NPs; and TiO₂ NP attachment to intracellular organelles and biological macromolecules following damage to the cell membranes.更多还原