Toxicity evaluation by flow cytometric analysis of nanoparticles using the unicellular alga Chlorella

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Article Title:	Toxicity evaluation by flow cytometric analysis of nanoparticles using the unicellular alga Chlorella
Authors:	Constantin-Marian Petrescu, Larisa Calu, Ana-Maria Dobre, Violeta Turcus, Daniela Bratosin
Affiliation:	Faculty of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, ″Vasile Goldis″ Western University of Arad, Romania National Institute for Biological Science Research & Development (INCDSB), Bucharest, Romania Institute of Life Sciences,″Vasile Goldis″ Western University of Arad, Romania
Abstract:	The use of nanoparticles for biological and medical applications has rapidly increased and the potential for human and ecological toxicity is a growing area of investigation. For assessing cytotoxicity of nanoparticles we have attempted to assess by flow cytometry the toxicity and ecotoxicity of nanoparticles using the unicellular alga Chlorella fusca for developing an in vitro system that could provide an accurate, predictive early screen for assessing the toxicity of different pollutants. Consequently, to understand the mechanisms underlying the toxicity process of nanoparticles we analyzed by flow cytometry the morphological changes (light scattering properties), accompanied by optical and scanning microscopic observations. The investigation showed that analysis by flow cytometry in the system FSC / SSC of Chlorella cells incubated for variable in the presence of different dilutions of nanoparticles show induced morphological changes also observed by complementary microscopic techniques. Metabolic activity based on the level of esterases activity with Calcein-AM is a possibility to determine the toxicity of pollutants, including the study of toxicity of nanoparticles prior to their application in various fields of economic life, due to sensitivity and possibility to quantify the results.
Keywords:	nanoparticles, flow cytometry, ecotoxicology, metabolic activity, Chlorella cells
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*Correspondence:	Daniela Bratosin, National Institute for Biological Science Research & Development, Bucharest, Romania; Splaiul Independentei no. 296, district 6, Bucharest, Romania, Tel/Fax +40-(021)-2200881, email:bratosind@yahoo.com