Synthesis of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastics for environmental studies

AbstractAvailable analytical methods cannot detect nanoplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations in complex matrices such as biological tissues. Here, we describe a one-step polymerization method, allowing direct radiolabeling of a sulfonate end-capped nano-sized polystyrene (nPS; proposed as a model nanoplastic particle representing negatively charged nanoplastics). The method, which produces nanoplastics trackable in simulated environmental settings which have already been used to investigate the behavior of a nanoplastic in vivo in a bivalve mollusc, was developed, optimized and successfully applied to synthesis of 14C-labeled nPS of different sizes. In addition to a description of the method of synthesis, we describe the details for quantification, mass balance and recovery of the labelled particles from complex matrices offered by the radiolabelling approach. The radiolabeling approach described here, coupled to use of a highly sensitive autoradiographic method for monitoring nanoplastic body burden and distributions, may provide a valuable procedure for investigating the environmental pathways followed by negatively charged nanoplastics at low predicted environmental concentrations. Whether the behaviour of the synthetic nPS manufactured here, synthesised using a very common inititator, represents that of manufactured nPS found in the environment, remains to be seen.</jats:p

Exploring the potential to improve the gut microbiome of broiler chickens using selenium nanoparticle supplements

Gangadoo, S ORCiD: 0000-0002-7803-8899The poultry industry has rapidly grown in the last few years with a focus in improving growth and productivity of broiler chickens, with performance assessed on measures such as feed conversion ratio, body weight gain and good immunity. The incorporation of antibiotics and feed additives in poultry diets, have been implemented for years to ensure the maintenance of poultry health with a focus on the control and reduction of zoonotic pathogens. In the last few years, however, key issues surrounding the antimicrobial resistance of antibiotics have urged for alternative supplementations. Nanoparticles (NPs) of silver and other metals have been heavily used in the poultry industry to improve the growth and performance of birds. Whilst successful, metal NPs exhibited higher toxicity at the higher surface to volume ratio, especially with the use of silver. This study proposes the use of NPs of essential metals and natural compounds to safely deliver nutrients, resulting in positive impacts on health and productivity with little to no toxic effects. Selenium is an essential mineral, required for the proper functioning of the immunity and is an important element in the first cell line of defence in the body. The work described in this thesis explores the ability of selenium NPs to improve the health and growth of broiler chickens by modulating their gut microbiome and metabolome, without the toxic effects observed with silver. Selenium NPs were synthesised using a simple chemical reduction method and a full characterisation was performed, assessing the physicochemical properties of the NP. Selenium NPs were then compared in an animal trial against two commonly used selenium additives in the poultry industry, sodium selenite (inorganic selenium) and selenomethionine (organic selenium). The performance of the birds was assessed based on body weight gain, the gut microbial composition and metabolite production. The toxicity of NPs was further investigated by quantifying selenium concentration in various tissues, along with a detailed histopathological assessment. Results show selenium NPs completely altered the gut microbial ecology at high concentration, with a strong correlation observed between Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance and increasing concentration of selenium NPs. Selenium NPs additionally increased villus height/crypt ratio associated with enhanced absorption in the small intestine and an overall increase of healthy colonic metabolites. Finally, an in vitro study demonstrated the ability of selenium NPs to reduce emerging pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum species. This thesis demonstrates the prospective ability of selenium NPs as alternatives to antibiotics and bulk supplementation, resulting in an improvement of health and performance of broiler chickens in the poultry industry

Exploring the potential to improve the gut microbiome of broiler chickens using selenium nanoparticle supplements

The poultry industry has rapidly grown in the last few years with a focus in improving growth and productivity of broiler chickens, with performance assessed on measures such as feed conversion ratio, body weight gain and good immunity. The incorporation of antibiotics and feed additives in poultry diets, have been implemented for years to ensure the maintenance of poultry health with a focus on the control and reduction of zoonotic pathogens. In the last few years, however, key issues surrounding the antimicrobial resistance of antibiotics have urged for alternative supplementations. Nanoparticles (NPs) of silver and other metals have been heavily used in the poultry industry to improve the growth and performance of birds. Whilst successful, metal NPs exhibited higher toxicity at the higher surface to volume ratio, especially with the use of silver. This study proposes the use of NPs of essential metals and natural compounds to safely deliver nutrients, resulting in positive impacts on health and productivity with little to no toxic effects. Selenium is an essential mineral, required for the proper functioning of the immunity and is an important element in the first cell line of defence in the body. The work described in this thesis explores the ability of selenium NPs to improve the health and growth of broiler chickens by modulating their gut microbiome and metabolome, without the toxic effects observed with silver. Selenium NPs were synthesised using a simple chemical reduction method and a full characterisation was performed, assessing the physicochemical properties of the NP. Selenium NPs were then compared in an animal trial against two commonly used selenium additives in the poultry industry, sodium selenite (inorganic selenium) and selenomethionine (organic selenium). The performance of the birds was assessed based on body weight gain, the gut microbial composition and metabolite production. The toxicity of NPs was further investigated by quantifying selenium concentration in various tissues, along with a detailed histopathological assessment. Results show selenium NPs completely altered the gut microbial ecology at high concentration, with a strong correlation observed between Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance and increasing concentration of selenium NPs. Selenium NPs additionally increased villus height/crypt ratio associated with enhanced absorption in the small intestine and an overall increase of healthy colonic metabolites. Finally, an in vitro study demonstrated the ability of selenium NPs to reduce emerging pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum species. This thesis demonstrates the prospective ability of selenium NPs as alternatives to antibiotics and bulk supplementation, resulting in an improvement of health and performance of broiler chickens in the poultry industry

Emerging biomaterials and strategies for medical applications : a review /

The creation of new materials is one of the fundamental driving forces between research andindustry and lays the foundation for new products to enhance health and well being for the future.Antibacterial materials are an active area of research but also an economic sector in fullexpansion that addresses many application domains. It is also a world priority in terms ofreducing infection in humans for improved life and well being. Healthcare is one the largest andmost rapidly expanding needs of modern society, and smart approaches and materials arerequired to extend the boundaries required to improve the field. In this paper, we systematicallyreview a series of biomaterials and strategies that have emerged over the last decade. Inparticular, focus has been driven around the nanorealm. Some of the diverse arenas surroundingthe nanodomain and applications include drug screening technologies, biocompatibility,emerging approaches and biomimetics. In a wider front, intelligent materials are where the nextphases of research are driven, some of which are discussed herein

Emerging biomaterials and strategies for medical applications : a review

The creation of new materials is one of the fundamental driving forces between research andindustry and lays the foundation for new products to enhance health and well being for the future.Antibacterial materials are an active area of research but also an economic sector in fullexpansion that addresses many application domains. It is also a world priority in terms ofreducing infection in humans for improved life and well being. Healthcare is one the largest andmost rapidly expanding needs of modern society, and smart approaches and materials arerequired to extend the boundaries required to improve the field. In this paper, we systematicallyreview a series of biomaterials and strategies that have emerged over the last decade. Inparticular, focus has been driven around the nanorealm. Some of the diverse arenas surroundingthe nanodomain and applications include drug screening technologies, biocompatibility,emerging approaches and biomimetics. In a wider front, intelligent materials are where the nextphases of research are driven, some of which are discussed herein

Nanoparticle and biomaterial characterisation techniques

The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and biomaterials exert influences over their interactions with cells and consequently play an important role when introduced into any given system. Characterisation of these said materials is a detailed and, above all, a cross-disciplinary relationship of physical, chemical, mechanical, surface, in vitro and in vivo multi-integrated research topics. The biocompatibility of a functional structure with desired properties is affected by the biomaterials' structural characteristics and building block pathways. Moreover, the sensitivity, depth of field, resolution and dimension of a given material also make structural analysis of a nano-biomaterial particularly challenging to characterise. In this paper, we discuss the use of biomaterial characterisation techniques (fluorescent and optical) to characterise structural aspects of biomaterials, with the aim of improving both the understanding and relationship between a biomaterial's structure and its functionality

Nanoparticle and biomaterial characterisation techniques

The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and biomaterials exert influences over their interactions with cells and consequently play an important role when introduced into any given system. Characterisation of these said materials is a detailed and, above all, a cross-disciplinary relationship of physical, chemical, mechanical, surface, in vitro and in vivo multi-integrated research topics. The biocompatibility of a functional structure with desired properties is affected by the biomaterials' structural characteristics and building block pathways. Moreover, the sensitivity, depth of field, resolution and dimension of a given material also make structural analysis of a nano-biomaterial particularly challenging to characterise. In this paper, we discuss the use of biomaterial characterisation techniques (fluorescent and optical) to characterise structural aspects of biomaterials, with the aim of improving both the understanding and relationship between a biomaterial's structure and its functionality

From replacement to regeneration: Are bio-nanomaterials the emerging prospect for therapy of defective joints and bones?

Chapman, JM ORCiD: 0000-0002-9850-0403; Taylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348Healthcare is now regarded as one of the largest costs to any government budget and thus innovative ideas are sought as a means to reduce this spiralling bill. A significant proportion of this expenditure relates to specialised consultative care and post-operative therapy. In order to both mitigate the expense and improve the long-term effectiveness of orthopaedic surgery, including arthroplasty, the conception and creation of new biomaterials for treatment of defective joints and bones in the human body has become an emerging area of translational research over the last decade. In this review, we discuss a series of novel biomaterials and strategies for their therapeutic use that have arisen recently as viable approaches to regenerative medicine

Nanoparticles in feed: progress and prospects in poultry research

Abstract not availableSheeana Gangadoo, Dragana Stanley, Robert J. Hughes, Robert J. Moore, James Chapma