Toxicity of Cu and Cd nanoparticles to Spirulina platensis

Abstract

As a result of the study, it was found that changes in the content of β-carotene and chlorophyll a in spirulina biomass depended on the concentrations of nanoparticles introduced into the nutrient medium. The chlorophyll content of biomass grown with the addition of CuNP(PEG) and CdNP(PEG) to culture medium in concentration of 0.25-0.5 μM decreased by 18-24% compared to control variant. Concentrations of 2.5 μM and 3.75 μM reduced the chlorophyll content in biomass by 12-59%, while cadmium nanoparticles were more harmless to spirulina strain. Analysis of β-carotene content in spirulina biomass revealed the lack of the effect of CuNP(PEG) added in concentrations of 0.025-5.0 μM. The use of minimum concentrations of CdNP(PEG) enhanced the pigment content by 20-30% in the experimental variants compared to control values.