We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
SERS imaging and ICP-MS quantification of the biological uptake of nanoplastics using a dual-detectable model nanomaterial
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers synthesized a dual-detectable nanoplastic model with a gold nanoparticle core surrounded by a polymer shell, enabling simultaneous in situ visualization by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and ex situ quantification by mass spectrometry, providing a more accurate tool for studying nanoplastic uptake in biological systems.
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose significant concerns to human health due to their wide environmental presence and high potential for biological uptake, transport, and accumulation. Conventional analytical methods for studying NP-biota interactions suffer from low accuracy and precision due to limited reliability and quantitative capability. To address these challenges, a dual-detectable NP material was developed that allows for in-situ imaging by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and ex-situ quantification by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Here, a model NP that has a core-shell structure with Raman reporter-functionalized gold nanoparticles as the core and a layer of plastic as the shell was synthesized. The model polystyrene (PS) NPs demonstrated stability in structure, morphology, size, and surface charge over one year, with no indication of constituent leaching because of the covalent bonding of the Raman indicator to the Au core, ensuring stable signals and enabling reliable long-term monitoring in complex biological systems. The model NPs remained stable in suspension over 24 h without observable precipitation. A single model NP was successfully detected by SERS, indicating the single-particle detection capability of this approach. Further, garlic (Allium sativum) was used as a biological model to evaluate the potential of using the dual-mode detectable model NPs to study NP-biota interactions. Garlic roots exposed to PS NPs for 30 days at 2 × 10⁹ and 2 × 10 ¹⁰ particles/mL accumulated average particle counts of 1.9 × 10⁷ and 2.3 × 10⁸ particles per plant, respectively. At the highest tested concentration (2 ×10 ¹¹ particles/mL), uptake increased to 2.4 × 10⁹ particles per plant as quantified in root tissues. These results confirm a concentration-dependent uptake pattern. NP uptake by garlic roots further increased under longer exposure periods. ICP-MS quantification confirmed the presence of model NPs in roots rather than in the upper parts of the plant, as well as the concentration-dependent accumulation. This dual-mode detectable model NPs enable both semi-quantitative NP visualization via SERS imaging and accurate quantification analysis through ICP-MS, serving as a powerful tool for studying the biological uptake, transport, and accumulation of NPs. Their use can significantly improve our understanding of their fate and effects on biota in the future.
More Papers Like This
SERS Imaging and ICP-MS quantification of the biological uptake of nanoplastics using a dual-detectable model material
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a dual-detection nanoplastic model using gold nanoparticles coated with a plastic shell, enabling both imaging via Raman spectroscopy and quantification via mass spectrometry. The model particles remained stable for over a year without chemical leaching, and testing in garlic plants demonstrated the ability to track nanoplastic uptake and distribution in biological systems at the single-particle level.
Imaging and quantifying the biological uptake and distribution of nanoplastics using a dual-functional model material
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a dual-functional nanoplastic model material that allows both imaging and precise quantification of nanoplastic uptake in biological systems. Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, they could track where nanoplastics accumulated in organisms at high resolution. The tool addresses a major gap in nanoplastic research by enabling more accurate measurement of how these tiny particles interact with living tissues.
Imaging and quantifying the biological uptake and distribution of nanoplastics using a dual-functional model material
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used advanced imaging techniques to visualize and quantify nanoplastic uptake and distribution in biological systems, tracking particle translocation from exposure routes into tissues and characterizing intracellular localization.
Simultaneous detection of nanoplastics and adsorbed pesticides by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) with silver and gold nanoparticles to simultaneously detect nanoplastic particles and pesticides adsorbed onto their surfaces at environmentally relevant concentrations. The technique successfully identified both the plastic carrier and the co-transported contaminant in a single measurement, demonstrating its utility for assessing the combined hazard of nanoplastic-pesticide complexes.
Detection of Sub-Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles on Gold Nanoparticle-Based Substrates by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated a gold nanoparticle-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique capable of detecting sub-micrometer and nanoplastic particles too small for conventional methods. This dataset release accompanies the main publication and provides the underlying spectral measurements from the study.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.