The danger of nanoparticles will be determined by bioluminescence

Krasnoyarsk scientists have proposed using luminous molecules to determine the toxicity of nanomaterials

Scientific Communications Group, FITC KNC SB RAS

A team of scientists from the Federal Research Center Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS and Siberian Federal University has developed a bioluminescent enzymatic test system for assessing the toxicity of carbon nanomaterials. The distinctive features of the developed test are its simplicity, fast reaction speed and high sensitivity. The results of the study are published in the journal Toxicology in Vitro.

Schematic representation of the work of the enzymatic biotest.
The drawing is provided by the authors of the article

The development of nanotechnology has led to the widespread use of nanomaterials in various fields of industry. Currently, artificially created nanoparticles, primarily carbon-based, are actively used in the production of medicines, cosmetics and in the food industry. The range of applications of nanomaterials is growing every year. It is expected that by 2025 the global market of carbon nanotubes will reach 145 thousand tons, they will be used in almost all technological fields.

The safety of new materials for living organisms and humans is always a concern. A distinctive feature of modernity is the use of various biological tests to check the potential danger of the material being introduced into the industry. The toxic effect of nanomaterials may be related to their effect on biological molecules. For example, by binding to cell components, nanoparticles can suppress the activity of enzymes or even lead to complete inactivation of protein molecules.

A team of Krasnoyarsk scientists from the Federal Research Center Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS and Siberian Federal University proposed using the bioluminescent reagent "Enzimolum" to test the toxicity of nanomaterials. "Enzymolum" is a unique enzymatic system of several molecules isolated from marine luminous bacteria. The intensity of the reagent's glow changes under the action of various additives. Scientists have tested the ability of commercial nanomaterials such as various carbon nanotubes and fullerenes to suppress the glow of the enzymatic system. The greatest inhibitory effect was observed for multi-walled nanotubes. It should be noted that negative effects on the glow of enzymes were recorded at concentrations of nanomaterials exceeding their expected concentrations in the environment. However, with the increase in their use, an increase in naturally occurring concentrations can be expected.

Appearance of a multicomponent reagent
based on a bi-enzyme system of luminous bacteria
(on the left: gelatin–based discs, on the right - starch-based).

"We have been developing the test of the Enzimolum system for the past 10 years. Today it is an easy-to-use technology. The reagent consists of small dried disks with enzymes included in them. Each of the disks is designed to carry out one measurement. Disks can be stored for a long time without loss of properties. The analysis itself is carried out in 2-3 minutes. After that, you have a result – whether the solution of the analyte under study affects the glow of the biological material. Based on this, we can conclude about its potential toxicity. The test system has already been tested for the ability to quickly detect the presence of toxicants such as heavy metals or pesticides in the environment. We predict that the molecular express biotest "Enzimolum" will find wide application in various fields," Elena Yessimbekova, Candidate of Biological Sciences, researcher at the Institute of Biophysics of the FITC KNC SB RAS, told about the essence of the method.

The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation within the framework of the project "A new methodology for complex rapid assessment of soil quality and pollution based on enzymatic bioluminescent systems".

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  28.09.2017