Toxic effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on freshwater fish tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

Abstract

An eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate solution using aqueous Apple fruit extract was investigated. The reduction of silver ions in solution was monitored using UV–visible absorption spectroscopy and morphological analysis was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Short term definitive test by static renewal bioassay method was conducted to determine the acute toxicity (LC50) of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on freshwater fish fingerlings were exposed to different concentrations and the fixed doses 50mg/L for 96hrs, 100mg/L for 96hrs, 150mg/L for 96hrs, 200mg/L for 96hrs and 250mg/L for 96hrs were selected for acute study on fish Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus procured from Fisheries Research and Information Centre (Inland) Hebbal, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The size of the fish was (30 ± 35 g; 13 ± 14 cm) and duration 4 days respectively. Further investigation, the green synthesized silver nanoparticles on the changes in behaviour and bodyweight of a freshwater fish, Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. The results of the study evidenced that green synthesized silver nanoparticles is non-toxic but it has led to the altered fish physiology for long term of exposure. However the exact mechanism through which this is achieved needs to be studied further.