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211 | Khan et al.

REVIEW PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles in fish: a critical review

Muhammad Saleem Khan1, Farhat Jabeen1*, Naureen Aziz Qureshi2, Muhammad

Saleem Asghar1, Muhammad Shakeel1 and Aasma Noureen

1Department of Zoology, GC University Faisalabad, Pakistan

2GC Women University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Article published on May 18, 2015

Key words: Silver, Nanoparticles, Uses, Toxicity, Fish model.

Abstract

The variable spectrum of applications largely depends upon silver physicochemical and biological properties

which changes as the particles are decreased to nano-scale. This unique behavior is responsible for the larger use

of silver in consumer product and industry. Since little information is available about toxicity to the organisms

practically in the aquatic environment, the predication of possible environmental hazards and remedy are the hot

topics of current research studies. Researchers are drawing more and more data from appropriate model

organisms. Fish being aquatic organism is badly affected by Ag-NPs, so concern of potential risk to aquatic

organism increases. The toxicity endpoints include growth and reproduction impairment, mortality and

biochemical changes in both adult fish and embryos. Being a healthy food for human, the researchers try to know

how Ag-NPs can affect the fish and its body when sizes decrease to nano-scale. Therefore, fish is extensively

studied model in the toxicological studies. It examined some of these studies which address the adverse effects of

Ag-NPs on biological systems of different fish group predicting the dose dependent toxicity. The organisms more

acutely sensitive have lower LC50 values. All the studies also indicated that silver ions released from Ag-NPs

surface contributes to toxicity. Therefore, it is suggested that emphasis should be placed on upcoming

investigations for the evaluation of environmental impact of nano-silver in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The

effect of long term exposure and bioaccumulation of silver through food web should be unmasked and discussed

in detail.

*Corresponding Author: Dr Farhat Jabeen farjabeen2004@yahoo.co.in

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)

Vol. 6, No. 5, p. 211-227, 2015

http://www.innspub.net

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

212 | Khan et al.

Introduction

The commercial applications of the nanomaterial

research are maximum in the present era. It is

estimated that approximately 60,000 tons of

nanomaterial is produced annually (Jovanovic et al.,

2011) with 1628 nano based products in 30 countries

(Woodrow Wilson Database, 2015). Among the nano

industry, silver nanoparticles is the most rapidly

growing class with 320 tons of production per year

(Nowack et al., 2011). Its importance is due to unique

properties and consumers demands. About 30% of all

the currently registered nanoproducts are claiming to

contain the nano-silver (Project on emerging

nanotechnologies, 2013). It is estimated that 383

nanoproducts are available in the market (Woodrow

Wilson Database, 2015).

The extensive use of Ag nanoproducts might increase

the discharge of these particles into aquatic

environment (Benn and Westerhoff, 2008; Taju et al.,

2014). It may be released into water and air through

different sources including weathering of rocks,

processing of ores, cement manufacturing and

burning of fossil fuel. Rain is responsible to release

the silver in the ground and water reservoirs

(Wijnhoven et al., 2009). About 68% of nano silver

load will be increased in the waste water due to

biocidal products from 2010 to 2015 (Blaser et al,

2008). In the aquatic environment, it exits in four

(Ag, Ag+, Ag+2 and Ag+3) oxidation states. But Ag and

Ag+ exist more commonly (Smith and Carson, 1997).

Metallic silver is insoluble whereas salts (AgCl,

AgNO3) are soluble in water (WHO, 2002). Silver

nanomaterial is found in the form of colloidal

particles in the aquatic medium.

In spite of existence in the aquatic environment,

limited information regarding the toxicity of Ag-NPs

is available (Wijnhoven et al., 2009). Depending

upon the existing literature, it can be hypothesized

that Ag-NPs are more toxic than other forms because

of it’s more readily absorbance than metallic silver

(Drake and Hazelwood, 2005). The fate and behavior

of silver nanomaterial is influenced by many factors

including; size, surface area, surface chemistry and

chemical composition (coatings and purity). The

other factors like water and lipid solubility, vapor

pressure and aggregation or coagulation state

(Wijnhoven et al., 2009).

In the aquatic environment, Ag-NPs most likely enter

the ecosystems produce a physiological response in

many animals, altering their fitness and population

densities (Luoma and Rainbow, 2008). On the other

hand, the detailed studies on the effect of these

particles on the target organisms and their

environment have just begun. Numbers of

toxicological studies have been performed but it

showed huge variations due to lack of proper particles

characterization (Gliga et al., 2014). The researchers

focus on toxicity of Ag-NPs in aquatic environment

including fish in the recent studies (Asharani et al.,

2008; Yeo and Kang 2008; Bar-Ilan et al., 2009;

Chae et al., 2009; Choi et al., 2009; Griffitt et al.,

2009; Bilberg et al., 2010; Powers et al., 2010; Wu et

al., 2010). Toxicity induced by Ag-NPs to vertebrate

cell line include generation of the reactive oxygen

species (Hussain et al., 2005; Schrand et al., 2008),

apoptosis (Braydich-Stolle et al., 2005; Park et al.,

2007), reduced mitochondrial function (Braydich-

Stolle et al., 2005; Hussain et al., 2005; Schrand et

al., 2008), increase lipid peroxidation (Arora et al.,

2008) and depletion of the oxidative stress markers

(Hussain et al., 2005; Arora et al., 2008). Further a

study by Larese et al. (2009) demonstrated that Ag-

NPs can pass through stratum corneum and the outer

layer of epidermis and even blood-brain barriers

causing damage to human skin, liver, lungs and

olfactory blabs (Braydich-Stolle et al., 2005; Hussain

et al., 2005; Arora et al. 2008; Sung et al., 2008). So

the current review will present the toxicity caused by

Ag-NPs on some groups of fish.

Silver uses

Silver is among basic elements that formed our

planet. Its size ranges 5-50 nm in many commercial

products so refers as nanosilver (Panyala et al.,

2008). It has a long history of use. Ancient Egypt,

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213 | Khan et al.

Rome, Italy and Greece were aware about the use of

silver (Reidy et al., 2013). They use silver for the

preparation of storage vessels that keep the water

fresh (Russell and Hugo 1994). It was used in the

form of colloidal silver more than 150 years ago and

first time registered as biocidal material in 1954

(Nowack et al., 2011). In the present time, it is mostly

used in the fields of chemistry, material science and

physics (Syrvatka et al., 2014). It is used worldwide in

photography, batteries as coatings of solar energy

absorption, water treatment filters (Li et al., 2008),

washing machines (Jung et al., 2007), fabrics

(Perelshtein et al., 2008), Heat sink, sensors

(Schrand et al., 2008), catalysts (Kumar et al., 2008),

superconductors, cloud seeding, shampoo, food

packing, Electroplating, kitchen utensils, and odor

resistant textiles (Sondi and Sondi, 2004; Cohen et

al., 2007; Yon and Lead, 2008). Furthermore silver is

also combined with other substance to develop

combined functions.

More attention is devoted towards silver due to its

medical importance. It has been used in the fields of

biotechnology, medicine, environmental technology

and as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent (Kim et

al., 2007; Kim et al., 2013). Table 1 provides the

comprehensive medical uses of naonosilver in the

current time. The silver containing biocidal products

has reached to 110 to 230 tons in the European

market and significant portion is consists of Ag-NPs

(Blaser et al., 2008).

Fig. 1. Uses of silver in different sectors (SOURCE:

World Silver Survey 2014, The Silver institute, 2014).

The demand of silver use and production increases

every year. It is because of silver used in industrial,

medical and photography.

The humans, animals and microorganisms are

exposed to nanosilver through three major products.

These products are food, medical and consumer’s

products. Some common medical uses of Ag-NPs are

provided in the table-1.

Table 1. Some common uses of Ag-NPs in the medical fields.

Medical applications of silver

A. Treatment and repair

1. Treatment of ulcerative colitis and acne (Bhol and Schechter, 2007)

2. Treatment of dermatitis (Bhol et al., 2004)

3. Allergy prophylaxis (Gulbranson et al., 2000; Silver, 2003)

4. Inhibition of HIV-1 replication (Elechiguerra et al., 2005; Sun et al., 2005)

5. Bone cement additive (Alt et al., 2004)

6. Orthopedic stockings (Pohle et al., 2007)

7. Rheumatoid arthritis-associated leg ulcers (Coelho et al., 2004)

8. Coating of implant for joint replacement (Chen et al., 2006)

9. Coating of catheter for cerebrospinal fluid drainage (Bayston et al., 2007)

10. Coating of surgical mesh for pelvic reconstruction (Cohen et al., 2007)

11. Coating of intramedullary nail for long bone fractures (Alt et al., 2006)

12. In the form of silver proteinate for treatment of conjunctivitis in newborn babies (NCCAM, 2012)

13. In the form of lunar caustic for treatment of corns and warts (NCCAM, 2012)

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214 | Khan et al.

Medical applications of silver

14. Anti-inflammatory medicine (Kirsner et al., 2001)

15. Modulate cytokines in wound healing (Tian et al., 2007)

16. Treatment of burns (Tredget et al.,1998)

17. Silver diamine fluoride to reduce tooth decay (Rosenblatt et al., 2009; Deery, 2009)

18. Silver acetate antismoking agent (Lancaster Stead, 2012)

B. Laboratory diagnosis

1. Detection of viral strain (SERS and silver nanorods) (Zhao et al., 2006)

2. Dendrimer nanocomposite for cell labeling (Lesniak et al., 2005)

3. Ag pyramids enhance bio-detection (Walt, 2005)

4. Sensitive diagnosis of myocardial infarction (Aslan and Geddes, 2006)

5. Fluorescence-based RNA sensing (Aslan et al., 2006)

6. Molecular imaging of cancer cells (Tai et al., 2007)

7. Protein biosensor any protein or any antibody (Ananth et al., 2011)

8. Clinical diagnosis of myocardial infraction (Aslan and Geddes, 2006)

9. Genosensors silver (I) and hydroquinone (He et al., 2009)

C. Antiseptic uses

1. Antimicrobial agent against infectious organisms (Yves and Philippe, 2012)

2. Hydrogel for wound dressing (silver-containing hydrocolloid) (Yu et al., 2007)

3. Antifungal uses (Wright et al., 1999)

4. Effective against yeast isolated from bovine mastitis (Kim et al., 2007)

D. Medical utensils

1. Coating of driveline for ventricular assist devices (Drake and Hazelwood, 2005)

2. Coating of endotracheal tube ventilatory support (Bouadma et al., 2012)

3. Coating of hospital textile (e.g., surgical gowns and face mask) (Lee et al., 2003)

4. Remote laser light-induced opening of microcapsules Skirtach et al., (2006)

5. Coating of breathing mask patent (Drake and Hazelwood, 2005)

6. Needles, catheters, dental amalgams (Drake and Hazelwood, 2005)

7. Surgical instruments production (Chen and Schluesener, 2008)

8. Coating of contact lens (Weisbarth et al., 2007)

9. Drug carrier in the medical products (Chen et al., 2015)

Causes of toxicity

According to the Thomson Reuters, the number of

papers on the toxicological aspects of Ag-NPs has

been increased since 1990. Currently more than 3500

research articles are published on this theme

annually. These research articles suggest that the

toxicity of Ag-NPs depends upon many factors such as

shape, size, surface area, chemical composition and

surface charges (Hedayati et al., 2012). In most of the

studies, it is observed that physical and chemical

properties change when we decrease the particle size

to nonoscale (Hedayati et al., 2012). This concluded

the nano-sized particles show variations of optical,

electrical and magnetic properties from large particles

of the same compounds (Dowling et al., 2009).

Further the toxicity may also affects due to particles

size (Nowack and Bucheli, 2007; Carlson et al., 2008;

Inoue et al., 2010). However, the relationship

between the biological effects and particle size of Ag-

NPs is still unclear (Ivask et al., 2014). One proposed

argument is that the smaller size of particles might

allow the Ag-NPs to enter an organism more readily

than larger particles (Hedayati et al., 2012; Ivask et

al., 2014). To prove this, Lvask et al. (2014) used four

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

215 | Khan et al.

different sizes of Ag-NPs (10, 20, 60, and 80 nm) on

different organisms. The analysis showed that 10nm

particles were more toxic than all the types. Ag-NPs

are coated with different organic compounds in the

synthesis process which can change fate, toxicity and

stability of the particles in the aqueous and biological

mediums. Several organic coated particles may

damage cell membrane directly, interfare in DNA

replication and ATP synthesis, cause alteration in the

expression of genes and produce reactive oxygen

species (Sherma et al., 2014).

Ag-NPs enter organism’s body through oral

absorption, inhalation, through damage skin (ATSDR,

1990; Drake and Hazelwood, 2005) even through

barrier of retina (Soderstjerna et al., 2014) in adult

and diffusion or endocytosis through the skin of

embryos (Asharani et al., 2008). Colloidal silver

nanoparticles and silver compounds enter in

organism s body through ingestion from food

containing silver preservatives, water and children s

toys. Inhalation of the dust or fumes having silver

occurs in the industrial and jewelry processing (Drake

and Hazelwood, 2005). It also enters in the body

through damage skin from the application of silver

containing burn creams (Wan et al., 1991) or through

cosmetics and textiles (Jones et al., 2010). It can also

enter through female genital tract as most of the

female use various hygienic products containing Ag-

NPs (West and Halas, 2003; Chen and Schluesener,

2008; Schrand et al., 2008). Other routes may

include through acupuncture needles, dental

amalgams (Drake and Hazelwood, 2005) and contact

of jewelry with body (Catsakis and Sulica, 1978).

Absorption of soluble silver compound is greater than

insoluble or metallic silver in this way causing adverse

health effects (Drake and, Hazelwood 2005). Is has

been reported that after the administration Ag-NPs

accumulate in the some organs and cause

hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity after administration

(Sung et al., 2009; Kim et al., 2010).

Fish being aquatic organisms is more venerable to

xenobiotic exposure containing the silver waste. Fish

gills are the primary site for Ag-NPs entrance in the

fish body and histological alterations occur very soon

(Hawkins et al., 2015). The possible effects of Ag-NPs

in different groups of fish are discussed in details.

Zebra fish (Danio rerio)

Zebra fish is extensively studied model in the Ag-NPs

toxicological studies (Asharani et al., 2008; Kanan et

al., 2011). The toxicity indicators may include, drop in

heart rate, hatching delay and higher mortality rate

(Asharani et al., 2008). The LC50 value is 250 mg L-1

in case of embryo (Choi et al., 2010). Bar-llan et al.

(2009) calculated the LC50 values of 3nm to 100nm of

Ag-NPs. The calculated values were 93.31 µM for 3nm

particle size and 137.26 µM for 100 nm. The higher

value of LC50 for lager particles suggest that the

toxicity increases as the particle size decreases. In

some studies free Ag+ also demonstrated the almost

same cytotoxicity as Ag-NPs with almost same LC50

values in zebra fish model (Kim et al., 2009). The Ag-

NPs also accumulated in the different organs like

intestine, gills, blood, liver and brain upon exposing

fish to particles (Handy et al., 2008). The

concentration of accumulated Ag in the liver tissues

was found 0.29 and 2.4ng/mg liver when treated with

30 and 120mgL-1 (Choi et al., 2010). The accumulated

Ag-NPs cause number of cellular alterations in the

liver. These alterations are haptic cell cords, apoptotic

changes, condensation of chromatin and pyknosis in

adult (Gonzalez et al., 2006) and circulatory and

morphological abnormalities in embryo (Asharani et

al., 2008; Bar-Ilan et al., 2009). 2 to 4 mgL-1

exposure for 14 days causes decrease the

Na(+)/K(+)ATPase activity in the gills and

erythrocytes acetylcholinestrase activity (Katuli et al.,

2014). The Ag-NPs treatment also causes oxidative

damage in the hepatic cells. The DNA damage

includes double strand breaks cause lesions in cells

(Rothkamm and Lobrich, 2003).

Toxicity to silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix)

Hedayati et al. (2012a) suggested Ag-NPs are very

toxic to the silver carp than the metallic silver. The

recorded LC50 value was 0.34 ppm in case of nanocid

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216 | Khan et al.

(Hedayati et al., 2012a) and 66.4 ppm in case of

nanosil (Jahanbakhsi et al., 2012). The mortality also

increases as the time of exposure and concentration

increases. There was 100% mortality seen in case of

1ppm and 96 hours of exposure (Hedayati et al.,

2012). In different studies difference in toxicity was

also seen due to change in the size time, age and

condition of test organisms (Rathore and Khangarot,

2002). Shalui et al. (2013) found 0.810 mg L-1 LC50

value for 24h explore and 0.64, 0.383, 0.202 mg L-1

for 48, 72 and 96h respectively. The Ag-NPs also

decrease the RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit level

in the silver carp (Shalui et al., 2013).

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The results of the comparative toxicities of Ag-NPs

and Ag ions suggested that Ag-NPs are slightly more

toxic than Ag ions (Hedayati et al., 2012b). Ag-NPs

alter the metabolic enzymes in the organs like gills,

kidney, brain and liver (Reddy et al., 2013). The liver

was found most susceptible to change in Ag-NPs

concentration among all the examined tissues (Lee et

al., 2012). Jung et al. (2014) found mean concentra-

tion of 5.61 mg kg-1 in the liver when exposed to

0.06±0.12 mgL-1 for 7 days. The other organs were

found to have concentration of 3.32 mg kg-1 in gills,

2.93 mg kg-1 in gastrointestinal tract, 0.48 mg kg-1 in

the skeletal muscle 0.48 mg kg-1 in skeletal muscle,

0.14 mg kg-1 in brain and 0.02 mg kg-1 in blood. The

localized Ag-NPs badly reduce the activities of the

metabolic enzymes (SOD, CAT and GST) in brain and

other tissues (Lee et al., 2012). Silver salts (AgNO3),

Nanocid and Nanosil are mostly used in the

toxicological studies of Ag-NPs in the case of the

juvenile common carp (Hedayati et al., 2012b). The

recorded values of LC50 for 96 hours exposure are

0.49±0.90 ppm (Nanocid), 73.8±0.38 (Nanosil) and

0.33± 0.3 ppm (AgNO3) (Hedayati et al., 2012b).

Thala (Catla catla)

Little work has been done for Ag-NPs toxicity in the

case of catla catla. Reddy et al. (2013) found a

significant change in the lipid peroxidation level in

the gills when fish was exposed to 1/5th concentration

of 100 µgL-1 of Ag-NPs for a period of 48 h. But after

the 96 h the lipid peroxidation levels in the gills were

declined at the same concentration. This is due to the

gills endogenous antioxidant system mitigating the

free radical generation (Diehl, 2000). Taju et al.

(2014) also found lipid peroxidation level, decrease in

level of antioxidant enzymatic level due to Ag-NPs

explore.

Rohu (Labeo rohita)

Chemically synthesized Ag-NPs show dose dependent

toxicity in the Labeo rohita. 500 mg kg-1 causes 100%

mortality and 50% mortality was observed at 100 mg

kg-1 in the studies of Rajkumar et al. (2015). The Ag-

NPs creates stressful condition which causes

alteration in the WBC, RBC and total protein level in

the serum. Acid phosphate (ACP) and alkaline

phosphate (ALP) level increases in the Ag-NPs treated

tissues. Orally administrated Ag-NPs also cause the

reduction of GST (glutathione-S-transferase), SOD

(superoxide dismutase) and catalase activities

(Rajkumar et al., 2015).

Crucian carp (Perca fluviatilis)

Exposure of nanosilver causes impairment of

tolerance to hypoxia in crucian carp. It affects gills

and causes reduction in diffusion of oxygen through

gills epithelium leading to hypoxia (Bilberg et al.,

2010). The exposure of 45mgL-1 also suppresses

olfactory responses. It hyperpolarized the olfactory

epithelium membrane interfere the odor detection

mechanism. The free Ag ions release from the surface

of Ag-NPs form complex with receptors and prevent

the odor to combine with olfactory receptors (Klaprat

et al., 1992).

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In different studies, the sized effect of Ag-NPs on

rainbow trout has been studied. Scown et al. (2010)

for example, treated the rainbow trout with 10 nm, 35

nm and 600 to 1600 nm through water medium for

ten days. The uptake level was found very low. 10nm

Ag-NPs were found highest among all the other size

and concentrated more in the gills than liver and

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217 | Khan et al.

kidney. Fish liver also showed significant decrease in

weight (p< 0.05). In hepatic parenchyma, local

congestion was decrease in size when exposed to Ag-

NPs (Monfared et al., 2013). The Ag-NPs coated with

PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) and citrate also

accumulate in the gills transport through gill

epithelium and cause cytotoxicity (Farkas et al.,

2010).

The calculated LC50 values were 0.25 and 28.25 mgL-1

for colloidal and suspended powder respectively in

alevins for 96 hours exposure and 2.16 mgL-1 for

colloidal in juveniles. No mortality was seen in case of

powder Ag-NPs (Kalbassi et al., 2013). Johari et al.

(2013) also calculated the LC50 values for the colloidal

particles. Their calculated values were 0.25 mgL-1,

0.71 and 2.16 mgL-1 for eleutheroembryo, larvae and

juveniles, respectively. According to the European

Union Directive (EC, 1999) number 67/548/EEC

dated 27 June 1967 and European legislation (EC,

2008), any substance that has less than 1 mgL-1 LC50

value for 96 hours must be classified as very toxic. It

must have long term adverse effect on the aquatic

organisms. So according to the findings of Johari et

al. (2013), the colloidal Ag-NPs should be classified

very toxic for eleutheroembryo and larvae and toxic to

juveniles in rainbow trout.

The serum level of total protein decreases by

elevation of Ag-NPs concentration (Monfared et al.,

2013). Reduction of potassium and chloride ions and

increase of cortisol and cholinsterse present in blood

plasma were seen when exposed to Ag-NPs (Johari et

al., 2013). Glucose level was also increases (Webb and

Wood, 1998). These changes were dose-dependent

(Johari et al., 2013). Ag-NPs increase the lipid

peroxidation where Ag+ increase the DNA damage

(Massarsky et al., 2014) and inhibits the Na(+),K(+)-

ATPase activity (Schultz et al., 2013).

Medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Kim et al. (2013) demonstrated aged (old) Ag-NPs are

more toxic than fresh one as aged particles release

more Ag ions. They performed toxicity assay in

medaka (Japanese rice fish) and found lower LC50

value (1.44mgL-1) in case of aged Ag-NPs than (3.53

mgL-1) fresh Ag-NPs. Wu et al. (2010) found 100%

mortality at 2.0 mgL-1 in 48h toxicity test and no

mortality at 0.5 mgL-1.

In embryo development retardation, reduce

pigmentation and reduction of width of optic tectum

were seen at 400 µgL-1 concentration (Wu et al.,

2010). Other malfunctions include spinal card

abnormalities, heart deformation, edema and defects

in eyes development at different concentrations (Wu

et al., 2010). 0.8 mgL-1 concentration causes heart

beat retardation, where lower concentration also

causes dose dependent decrease in hatching rate and

body length posing same toxicity to embryo and adult

(Cho et al., 2013). Histological analysis found that Ag-

NPs can also penetrate through chorion of egg

(embryo) and skin membrane and then distributed to

the other tissues (Lee et al., 2014). The principal sites

of uptake are gills in Japanese medaka (Kwok et al.,

2012).

Table 3. Values of 96h LC50 of different forms of Nano-silver in different fish groups.

Sr# Form of Ag-NPs Fish Group LC50 values Reference

1 Nanocid Silver carp 0.34ppm Hedayati et al., 2012a

2 Nanocil Silver carp 66.4ppm Jahanbakhsi et al., 2012

3 Nanpcid (61nm) Silver carp 0.202 mgL-1 Shaluei et al., 2013

4 Nanocid Common carp (juvenile) 0.49±0.90ppm Hedayati et al., 2012b

5 Nanosil Common carp (juvenile) 73.8±0.38ppm Hedayati et al., 2012b

6 AgNO3 Common carp (juvenile) 0.33±0.3ppm Hedayati et al., 2012b

7 Ag-NPs (50-100) Rohu 100 mg kg-1 Rajkumar et al., 2015

8 Ag-NPs (powder) Zebra fish (embryo) 250 mgL-1 Choi et al., 2010

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

218 | Khan et al.

Sr# Form of Ag-NPs Fish Group LC50 values Reference

9 Ag-NPs (3nm) Zebra fish (juvenile) 93.11µM Bar-llan et al., 2009

10 Ag-NPs (100nm) Zebra fish (juvenile) 137.26 µM Bar-llan et al., 2009

11 Colloidal Zebra fish (adult) 7.07 mg AgL-1 Griffitt et al., 2008

12 Colloidal Rainbow trout (eleutheroembryo) 0.25 mgL-1 Johari et al., 2013

13 Colloidal Rainbow trout (larvae) 2.16 mgL-1 Johari et al., 2013

14 Colloidal Rainbow trout (alevins) 0.25 mgL-1 Kalbassi et al., 2013

15 Colloidal Rainbow trout (juvenile) 0.25 mgL-1 Kalbassi et al., 2013

16 Colloidal Rainbow trout (juvenile) 2.16 mgL-1 Johari et al., 2013

17 Suspended powder Rainbow trout (alevins) 28.25 mgL-1 Kalbassi et al., 2013

18 Ag-NPs (aged) Medaka (adult) 1.44 mgL-1 Kim et al., 2013

19 Ag-NPs (fresh) Medaka (adult) 3.53 mgL-1 Kim et al., 2013

20 Ag-NPs (stirred) Fathead minnow(embryo 10.6 mgL-1 Laban et al., 2010

21 Ag (sonicated) Fathead minnow 1.36 mgL-1 Laban et al., 2010

Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

The treatment of silver nanoproducts and

nanoparticles cause pericardial, yolk sac edema and

hemorrhages to head region in the Fathead minnow’ s

embryo (Laban et al., 2010) and gills alterations.

Disturbance in the blood circulation is the prevalent

alteration in the gills (Hawkins et al., 2015). 1.3 µg L-1

of AgNO3 increases the total goblet cells in the

mucous. Both Ag-NO3 and Ag-NPs decreases the

Na+/K+-ATPase immune-reactivity in the gills

(Hawkins et al., 2015). The calculated LC50 values

were 9.4mgL-1, 10.6mgL-1 for nanoAmor and Ag-NPs

in case of stirred particles and 1.25mgL-1, 1.36mgL-1

for sonicated particles. Ag-NPs were less toxic than

silver nitrate in fathead minnow (Laban et al., 2010).

Conclusion

Silver nanoparticles attract much attention of

researchers not because of its wide applications in the

fields of medicine, catalysts, biotechnology, nano

biotechnology, electronics, optics, textile engineering

and water treatment but due to toxicity. It can cause

damage to brain cells, liver cells and even to stem

cells in the human body. So instead of using human in

toxicological studies, it is preferable to use animal

models. Among all the models, fish is most

dominantly use model in the toxicological studies.

From the published literature, it is concluded that Ag-

NPs poses toxicity to all the life stages of fish model.

Variation in the toxicity due to size, form and

condition of target model, the researchers are

encouraged to further investigate the different aspects

of Ag-NPs toxicity.

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