Applications of Nano Particles in the Fields of Biomedicine, Environmental Remediation and Agriculture

Pesticides have demonstrated their profound impact in the field of agriculture towards integrated pest management. The chemical compositions of pesticides have inclined them towards toxic effects, more importantly chemical mutagenic effect to the genetic material across several species of organisms. Many research studies conducted “hitherto” have proved the genotoxic effect of various pesticides using in vitro assessment tools like chromosomal aberration assay, micronucleus assay, sister chromatid exchanges etc. The formulation of water dispersible nanopermethrin was investigated for its larvicidal property. Nanopermethrin was prepared using solvent evaporation of oil in water microemulsion, which was obtained by mixing an organic and aqueous phase. The mean particle size of nanodispersion in water was 151 ± 27 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of nanopermethrin showed it was amorphous. Larvicidal studies were carried out against Culex quinquefasciatus and the results were compared with bulk permethrin. The LC(50) of nanopermethrin to Cx. quinquefasciatus was 0.117 mg/L. The LC(50) of bulk permethrin to Cx. quinquefasciatus was 0.715 mg/L. Nanopermethrin may be a good choice as a potent and selective larvicide for Cx. quinquefasciatus.

 The applications of nano particles are wide and appreciable in the fields of biomedicine, environmental remediation and agriculture. The recent advancements nanotechnology bear the promise of controlled release and targeted release of various macromolecules for enhanced plant growth, pest control, and nutrient utilization.  The present study orients towards preliminary in vitro genotoxic assessment of nanopermethrin using hemolytic assay and chromosomal aberration assay followed by quantitative and qualitative genotoxic evaluation in Drosophila as in vivo system. Nano permethrin was characterized by TEM and DLS techniques.  Genotoxic assessment involved four concentrations, namely, 0.5mM, 1mM, 5mM and 10mM. A positive control of EMS and negative control (sterile water) was also employed in the study. Hemolytic assay demonstrated a dose dependent lysis of RBCs while chromosomal aberration assay did not show statistically significant aberration frequency. The results of in vivo testing showed marked phenotypic changes in the flies post 48 hour exposures. Viability of the flies during and post exposure time were monitored and recorded. DNA fragmentation assay showed dose dependent shearing of DNA. The wing spot assay (SMART) demonstrated that the four defined concentrations did not show any profound genotoxic effect.