Vadodara: While the study revealed that nano-TiO2 does not impact the embryo with higher doses but it does impact the embryo development at lower doses, the question on why does the phenomenon occur continued occupying minds of researches.
To get an answer, the MSU team approached professor Man Singh, the chemist working with the Central University of Gujarat in Gandhinagar and known for his patented technology – the Borosil Mansingh Survismeter.
The studies conducted with the help of this machine revealed that at higher doses, the nano particles agglomerate (form into a mass or group). “It revealed that there was higher cohesive force and molecular radius also increased. It was this condition which prevented the entry of nanoparticles inside the embryo as their total size got bigger,” said Devkar.
In contrast, at lower dose, the nano particles were toxic as they were disbursed and few that could enter embryo easily.
“When they interacted with proteins in the egg albumen, they formed a protein complex where the nano particles remain in the centre with proteins surrounding them. This condition is called protein corana,” he said. This protein corana can cross biological barriers and deliver the nano-TiO2 inside the embryo which in turn results in omphalocele.
“This study revealed the other half of the story on how the nano particles became toxic at lower doses,” he added.
The team that carried out the research included Shweta Patel, a student who has done PhD on this topic apart from nearly half a dozen students of zoology department. The research is an indication to the scientific fraternity that there is a need to set new benchmarks for studying toxicity of nano metals.
Man Singh (in white shirt) with his team