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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 37968

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Dr. Lucia Rocco

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Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Interests: environmental pollutants; nanomaterials; genetic ecotoxicology; sperm DNA damage; anti-genotoxicity; cell death (apoptosis)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few decades, due to the intensive development of nanotechnology, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been released, intentionally or accidentally, into the environment. The number of ecotoxicological studies for ENMs has rapidly increased over the past few years and they have raised several critical issues.

On the other hand, the application of nanotechnology to the environment includes the use of ENMs to clean up polluted media, such as soil, water, air, groundwater, and wastewater (nanoremediation).

Nanotechnologies also have the potential to have disadvantages as well as confer benefits in terms of the exposure of humans to new nanomaterials. ENMs influence human safety by environmental pollution, unintentional exposure (e.g., due to pollution or exposure at the workplace), and purposeful exposure by the intended application (nanomedicine).

The objective of this Special Issue of Nanomaterials is to highlight advances in the environmental and health applications of ENMs. Topics of particular interest include:

the influence of ENMs on environmental pollution and associated organisms;
sustainable (nano)solutions for environmental remediation;
effects of exposure to ENMs on human health;
new ENMs for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease; and
ENMs for the identification of disease biomarkers.

Prof. Dr. Lucia Rocco
Guest Editor

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Keywords

engineered nanomaterials
nanotechnology
human health
environmental health and safety
nanoremediation
ecosafety
nanotoxicity

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Related Special Issue

Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Third Edition in Nanomaterials

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Research

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10 pages, 1692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 Surrogates on Surfaces Using Engineered Water Nanostructures Incorporated with Nature Derived Antimicrobials

by Nachiket Vaze, Anand R. Soorneedi, Matthew D. Moore and Philip Demokritou

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12101735 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2550

Abstract

The continuing cases of COVID-19 due to emerging strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus underscore the urgent need to develop effective antiviral technologies. A crucial aspect of reducing transmission of the virus is through environmental disinfection. To this end, a nanotechnology-based antimicrobial platform utilizing engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) was utilized to challenge the human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2, on surfaces. The EWNS were synthesized using electrospray and ionization of aqueous solutions of antimicrobials, had a size in the nanoscale, and contained both antimicrobial agents and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Various EWNS were synthesized using single active ingredients (AI) as well as their combinations. The results of EWNS treatment indicate that EWNS produced with a cocktail of hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, lysozyme, nisin, and triethylene glycol was able to inactivate 3.8 logs of HCoV-229E, in 30 s of treatment. The delivered dose of antimicrobials to the surface was measured to be in pico to nanograms. These results indicate the efficacy of EWNS technology as a nano-carrier for delivering a minuscule dose while inactivating HCoV-229E, making this an attractive technology against SARS-CoV-2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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15 pages, 1759 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

First Report of the Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima Fruit Extracts and Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties

by Badiaa Essghaier, Nourchéne Toukabri, Rihab Dridi, Hédia Hannachi, Inès Limam, Filomena Mottola, Mourad Mokni, Mohamed Faouzi Zid, Lucia Rocco and Mohamed Abdelkarim

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091585 - 7 May 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2567

Abstract

Candida and dermatophyte infections are difficult to treat due to increasing antifungal drugs resistance such as fluconazole, as well as the emergence of multi-resistance in clinical bacteria. Here, we first synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous fruit extracts from Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.). The characterization of the AgNPs by means of UV, XRD, FTIR, and TEM showed that the AgNPs had a uniform spherical shape with average sizes of 40–50 nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed high antioxidant activity when investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial potential expressed by the maximum zone inhibition and the lowest MIC and MBC values. The AgNPs revealed a significant antifungal effect against the growth and biofilm of Candida species. In fact, the AgNPs were efficient against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Microsporum canis. The antifungal mechanisms of action of the AgNPs seem to be due to the disruption of membrane integrity and a reduction in virulence factors (biofilm and hyphae formation and a reduction in germination). Finally, the silver nanoparticles also showed important cytotoxic activity against the human multiple myeloma U266 cell line and the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Therefore, we describe new silver nanoparticles with promising biomedical application in the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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16 pages, 4210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Autofluorescence of Model Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastics for Cell Interaction Studies

by Francesca Lionetto, Maria Giulia Lionetto, Claudio Mele, Carola Esposito Corcione, Sonia Bagheri, Gayatri Udayan and Alfonso Maffezzoli

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091560 - 4 May 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3169

Abstract

This work contributes to fill one of the gaps regarding nanoplastic interactions with biological systems by producing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) model nanoplastics, similar to those found in the marine environment, by means of a fast top-down approach based on mechanical fragmentation. Their size distribution and morphology were characterized by laser diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Their autofluorescence was studied by spectrofluorimetry and fluorescence imaging, being a key property for the evaluation of their interaction with biota. The emission spectra of label-free nanoplastics were comparable with those of PET nanoplastics labeled with Nile red. Finally, the suitability of label-free nanoplastics for biological studies was assessed by in vitro exposure with Mytilus galloprovincialis hemolymphatic cells in a time interval up to 6 h. The nanoplastic internalization into these cells, known to be provided with phagocytic activity, was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. The obtained results underlined that the autofluorescence of the model PET nanoplastics produced in the laboratory was adequate for biological studies having the potential to overcome the disadvantages commonly associated with several fluorescent dyes, such as the tendency to also stain other organic materials different from plastics, to form aggregates due to intermolecular interactions at high concentrations with a consequent decrease in fluorescence intensity, and to dye desorption from nanoparticles. The results of the autofluorescence study provide an innovative approach for plastic risk assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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18 pages, 2681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of the Genotoxic Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Seven Different Ligands in Cultured Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

by Danielle Mulder, Cornelius Johannes Francois Taute, Mari van Wyk and Pieter J. Pretorius

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071126 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown great potential in diagnostic and therapeutic applications in diseases, such as cancer. Despite GNP versatility, there is conflicting data regarding the toxicity of their overall functionalization chemistry for improved biocompatibility. This study aimed to determine the possible genotoxic effects of functionalized GNPs in Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. GNPs were synthesized and biofunctionalized with seven common molecules used for biomedical applications. These ligands were bovine serum albumin (BSA), poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSSNA), trisodium citrate (citrate), mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA), glutathione (GSH), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Before in vitro genotoxicity assessment, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine GNP cellular internalization quantitatively, followed by cell-based assays; WST-1 to find IC 30 and ApoPercentage for apoptotic induction time-points. The effect of the GNPs on cell growth in real-time was determined by using xCELLigence, followed by a comet assay for genotoxicity determination. The HepG2 cells experienced genotoxicity for all GNP ligands; however, they were able to initiate repair mechanisms and recover DNA damage, except for two functionalization chemistries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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14 pages, 2870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Composites of Dextrin-Based Carbonate Nanosponges and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Potential Application in Targeted Drug Delivery

by Fabrizio Caldera, Roberto Nisticò, Giuliana Magnacca, Adrián Matencio, Yousef Khazaei Monfared and Francesco Trotta

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(5), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12050754 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4239

Abstract

Magnetically driven nanosponges with potential application as targeted drug delivery systems were prepared via the addition of magnetite nanoparticles to the synthesis of cyclodextrin and maltodextrin polymers crosslinked with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole. The magnetic nanoparticles were obtained separately via a coprecipitation mechanism involving inorganic iron salts in an alkaline environment. Four composite nanosponges were prepared by varying the content of magnetic nanoparticles (5 wt% and 10 wt%) in the cyclodextrin- and maltodextrin-based polymer matrix. The magnetic nanosponges were then characterised by FTIR, TGA, XRD, FESEM, and HRTEM analysis. The magnetic properties of the nanosponges were investigated via magnetisation curves collected at RT. Finally, the magnetic nanosponges were loaded with doxorubicin and tested as a drug delivery system. The nanosponges exhibited a loading capacity of approximately 3 wt%. Doxorubicin was released by the loaded nanosponges with sustained kinetics over a prolonged period of time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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17 pages, 5058 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular Responses Induced by Zinc in Zebra Mussel Haemocytes. Loss of DNA Integrity as a Cellular Mechanism to Evaluate the Suitability of Nanocellulose-Based Materials in Nanoremediation

by Patrizia Guidi, Margherita Bernardeschi, Mara Palumbo, Vittoria Scarcelli, Massimo Genovese, Giuseppe Protano, Valentina Vitiello, Lorenzo Pontorno, Lisa Bonciani, Isabella Buttino, Gianluca Chiaretti, David Pellegrini, Andrea Fiorati, Laura Riva, Carlo Punta, Ilaria Corsi and Giada Frenzilli

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092219 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2295

Abstract

Zinc environmental levels are increasing due to human activities, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, new tools able to remediate Zn contamination in freshwater are highly recommended. Specimens of Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) were exposed for 48 h and 7 days to a wide range of ZnCl₂ nominal concentrations (1–10–50–100 mg/L), including those environmentally relevant. Cellulose-based nanosponges (CNS) were also tested to assess their safety and suitability for Zn removal from freshwater. Zebra mussels were exposed to 50 mg/L ZnCl₂ alone or incubated with 1.25 g/L of CNS (2 h) and then removed by filtration. The effect of Zn decontamination induced by CNS has been verified by the acute toxicity bioassay Microtox^®. DNA primary damage was investigated by the Comet assay; micronuclei frequency and nuclear morphological alterations were assessed by Cytome assay in mussels’ haemocytes. The results confirmed the genotoxic effect of ZnCl₂ in zebra mussel haemocytes at 48 h and 7-day exposure time. Zinc concentrations were measured in CNS, suggesting that cellulose-based nanosponges were able to remove Zn(II) by reducing its levels in exposure waters and soft tissues of D. polymorpha in agreement with the observed restoration of genetic damage exerted by zinc exposure alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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16 pages, 4899 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TiO₂ (Core)/Crumpled Graphene Oxide (Shell) Nanocomposites Show Enhanced Photodegradation of Carbamazepine

by Han Fu and Kimberly A. Gray

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11082087 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3026

Abstract

The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic systems is a serious threat to human and ecological health. The photocatalytic degradation of PPCPs via titanium oxide (TiO₂) is a well-researched potential solution, but its efficacy is limited by a variety of environmental conditions, such as the presence of natural organic macromolecules (NOM). In this study, we investigate the synthesis and performance of a novel photoreactive composite: a three-dimensional (3D) core (TiO₂)-shell (crumpled graphene oxide) composite (TiGC) used as a powerful tool for PPCP removal and degradation in complex aqueous environments. TiGC exhibited a high adsorption capacity (maximum capacity 11.2 mg/g, 100 times larger than bare TiO₂) and a 30% enhancement of photodegradation (compared to bare TiO₂) in experiments with a persistent PPCP model, carbamazepine (CBZ). Furthermore, the TiGC performance was tested under various conditions of NOM concentration, light intensity, CBZ initial concentration, and multiple cycles of CBZ addition, in order to illustrate that TiGC performance is stable over a range of field conditions (including NOM). The enhanced and stable performance of TiCG to adsorb and degrade CBZ in water extends from its core-shell composite nanostructure: the crumpled graphene oxide shell provides an adsorptive surface that favors CBZ sorption over NOM, and optical and electronic interactions between TiO₂ and graphene oxide result in higher hydroxyl radical (•OH) yields than bare TiO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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13 pages, 3545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Gold Nanoparticles on the TLR2-Mediated Inflammatory Responses Induced by Leptospira in TLR2-Overexpressed HEK293 Cells

by Kanidta Sooklert, Chawikan Boonwong, Pattama Ekpo, Rojrit Rojanathanes, Kanitha Patarakul, Chintana Chirathaworn, Sasin Thamakaison and Amornpun Sereemaspun

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2522; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122522 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2524

Abstract

Leptospira infection can cause potential hazards to human health by stimulating inflammation, which is mediated mainly through the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) pathway. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising for medical applications, as they display both bioinert and noncytotoxic characteristics. AuNPs have been shown to have the ability to modify immune responses. To understand the in vitro immunomodulatory effect of AuNPs in a Leptospira infection model, the activation of TLR2 expression was examined in HEK-Blue-hTLR2 cells treated with Leptospira serovars and/or AuNPs (10 and 20 nm). The ability of AuNPs to modulate an inflammatory response induced by Leptospira was examined in terms of transcript expression level modulation of three proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6) using two-stage quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The results revealed that the administration of 10 nm AuNPs could augment the Leptospira-induced TLR2 signaling response and upregulate the expression of all three cytokine gene transcripts, whereas the 20 nm AuNPs attenuated the TLR2 activation and expression of proinflammatory cytokines. This indicates that AuNPs can modulate inflammatory parameters in Leptospira infection and different-sized AuNPs had different immunomodulatory functions in this model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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Review

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27 pages, 3091 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture

by Hafeez Ur Rahim, Muhammad Qaswar, Misbah Uddin, Cinzia Giannini, Maria Lidia Herrera and Giuseppina Rea

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2068; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11082068 - 15 Aug 2021

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 8245

Abstract

Intensive conventional agriculture and climate change have induced severe ecological damages and threatened global food security, claiming a reorientation of agricultural management and public policies towards a more sustainable development model. In this context, nanomaterials promise to support this transition by promoting mitigation, enhancing productivity, and reducing contamination. This review gathers recent research innovations on smart nanoformulations and delivery systems improving crop protection and plant nutrition, nanoremediation strategies for contaminated soils, nanosensors for plant health and food quality and safety monitoring, and nanomaterials as smart food-packaging. It also highlights the impact of engineered nanomaterials on soil microbial communities, and potential environmental risks, along with future research directions. Although large-scale production and in-field testing of nano-agrochemicals are still ongoing, the collected information indicates improvements in uptake, use efficiency, targeted delivery of the active ingredients, and reduction of leaching and pollution. Nanoremediation seems to have a low negative impact on microbial communities while promoting biodiversity. Nanosensors enable high-resolution crop monitoring and sustainable management of the resources, while nano-packaging confers catalytic, antimicrobial, and barrier properties, preserving food safety and preventing food waste. Though, the application of nanomaterials to the agri-food sector requires a specific risk assessment supporting proper regulations and public acceptance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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31 pages, 2026 KiB

Open AccessReview

Eco-Interactions of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Marine Environment: Towards an Eco-Design Framework

by Ilaria Corsi, Arianna Bellingeri, Maria Concetta Eliso, Giacomo Grassi, Giulia Liberatori, Carola Murano, Lucrezia Sturba, Maria Luisa Vannuccini and Elisa Bergami

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1903; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081903 - 24 Jul 2021

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 5533

Abstract

Marine nano-ecotoxicology has emerged with the purpose to assess the environmental risks associated with engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) among contaminants of emerging concerns entering the marine environment. ENMs’ massive production and integration in everyday life applications, associated with their peculiar physical chemical features, including high biological reactivity, have imposed a pressing need to shed light on risk for humans and the environment. Environmental safety assessment, known as ecosafety, has thus become mandatory with the perspective to develop a more holistic exposure scenario and understand biological effects. Here, we review the current knowledge on behavior and impact of ENMs which end up in the marine environment. A focus on titanium dioxide (n-TiO₂) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), among metal-based ENMs massively used in commercial products, and polymeric NPs as polystyrene (PS), largely adopted as proxy for nanoplastics, is made. ENMs eco-interactions with chemical molecules including (bio)natural ones and anthropogenic pollutants, forming eco- and bio-coronas and link with their uptake and toxicity in marine organisms are discussed. An ecologically based design strategy (eco-design) is proposed to support the development of new ENMs, including those for environmental applications (e.g., nanoremediation), by balancing their effectiveness with no associated risk for marine organisms and humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications)

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