Ortiz Román, Melissa I.

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    Assessing the ecotoxicological impacts of sunscreen components (Benzophenone-3 and TiO2 NPs) through in vivo models
    (2024-05-09) Ortiz Román, Melissa I.; Román Velázquez, Felix R.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Latorre Esteves, Magda; López Moreno, Martha L.; Meléndez Martínez, Enrique; Department of Chemistry; Rodríguez Barreras, Ruber
    The increasing use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) in various industrial and personal care applications has raised concerns regarding their potential environmental impacts, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Both ingredients are widely utilized in sun-protection creams. The toxicity of TiO2 P25 nanoparticles (TiO2 P25 NPs) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and BP-3 in both D. rerio embryos and Artemia salina was assessed, focusing on LC50, hatching rate, embryo development, and accumulation in tissue. Zebrafish embryos (~2 hpf) were exposed to concentrations ranging from 75 to 250 mg/L of TiO2 P25 NPs for 48 and 96 h. For BP-3, exposure concentrations ranged from 0.10 to 1.5 mg/L over 96 hours for D. rerio eleutheroembryos and 0.100-5.00 mg/L over 48h for A. salina. The Ti4+ concentrations in the tissues were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and the TiO2 concentrations were calculated. The results revealed TiO2 concentrations of up to 1.27 mg/L after 96 h of exposure, with developmental effects observed but no significant impact on mortality or hatching. LC20 and LC30 were determined experimentally, and LC50 and LC80 were estimated. Additionally, physical malformations were observed in up to 11% of embryos, highlighting the potential teratogenic effects and ecological risks associated with TiO2 NPs. Analytical techniques, such as ultrasound-assisted emulsified liquid-phase microextraction (UA-ELPME) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), have been used for tissue analysis and BP-3 concentration determination. Zebrafish eleutheroembryos demonstrated a high absorption rate of BP-3, reaching 79% within 96 h of exposure. Although no significant mortality or hatching changes were observed, developmental effects were evident, with lethal concentrations determined for both organisms. Lethal concentrations for BP-3 were determined (A. salina LC50 at 24h= 3.19 ± 2.02 mg/L; D. rerio embryos LC50 at 24h= 4.19 ± 3.60 mg/L). Physical malformations, including intestinal tract alterations in A. salina, pericardial edema, and spinal deformities in zebrafish embryos, underscore the environmental risks posed by TiO2 NPs and BP-3, highlighting the potential threats to species and ecosystem health.