We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of Functional Group Modification on the Toxicity of Nanoplastics
Summary
This review examines how different functional group modifications on the surface of nanoplastics influence their toxicity to microorganisms, plants, animals, and human cells. Researchers found that surface charge and specific functional groups significantly alter how nanoplastics interact with biological systems, with positively charged particles generally showing greater toxicity. The study underscores that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics is a critical factor in determining their environmental and health risks.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in harvested organisms at various trophic levels, and more concerns on their diverse responses and wide species-dependent sensitivity are continuously increasing. However, systematic study on the toxic effects of NPs with different functional group modifications is still limited. In this review, we gathered and analyzed the toxic effects of NPs with different functional groups on microorganisms, plants, animals, and mammalian/human cells in vitro. The corresponding toxic mechanisms were also described. In general, most up-to-date relevant studies focus on amino (−NH 2 ) or carboxyl (−COOH)-modified polystyrene (PS) NPs, while research on other materials and functional groups is lacking. Positively charged PS-NH 2 NPs induced stronger toxicity than negatively charged PS-COOH. Plausible toxicity mechanisms mainly include membrane interaction and disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and protein corona and eco-corona formations, and they were influenced by surface charges of NPs. The effects of NPs in the long-term exposure and in the real environment world also warrant further study.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Role of nanoparticle surface charge in their toxicity
This study examined how surface charge (carboxyl vs. amino functionalization) affects the toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles formed during plastic degradation, noting that nanoparticle toxicity can differ substantially from bulk material. Results highlighted that surface chemistry is a critical determinant of nanoparticle behavior in biological environments.
Hazard assessment of nanoplastics is driven by their surface-functionalization. Effects in human-derived primary endothelial cells
Researchers tested three types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface coatings on human blood vessel cells and found that the surface chemistry dramatically affected their toxicity. Positively charged nanoplastics were the most harmful, killing cells, while all types caused DNA damage and oxidative stress. This study shows that as plastics break down in the environment and their surface properties change, their potential to harm the cardiovascular system may change in unpredictable ways.
Functionalized nanoplastics alter physiology and toxin production in Alexandrium pacificum through surface charge effects
Researchers tested how surface-modified nanoplastics affect the harmful algae species Alexandrium pacificum, which produces paralytic shellfish toxins. They found that amino-modified nanoplastics had greater bioavailability to the algae and altered the composition of toxins produced, while all nanoplastic types impaired photosynthesis and triggered oxidative stress. The study suggests that nanoplastic surface chemistry plays a critical role in determining how these particles interact with and affect marine microorganisms.
Health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics: key influencing factors, limitations, and future perspectives
This review systematically analyzed how the physicochemical properties of micro- and nanoplastics — including size, shape, surface charge, and polymer type — determine their toxicological impacts across biological systems. The authors argue that property-based frameworks are essential for predicting MNP health risks and designing relevant research.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on lead toxicity in dandelion seedlings
Researchers investigated how different types of functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics affect lead toxicity in dandelion seedlings. The results showed that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics matters: carboxy-modified particles with negative surface charges enhanced lead toxicity, while amino-modified particles with positive charges reduced it, highlighting the complex interactions between nanoplastics and heavy metal contaminants in plants.