Study the toxicological effect of nanosilver particle on biological and ecological systems

The use of antibacterial property of nanosilver particles has significantly expanded and applied in a variety of products, consisting clothing, paints, plastics, food packaging, wound dressings, bandages, and household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. However, their use in animal feeding as prebiotics have been remained minimized, mostly because of the low cost antibiotics used as growth promoters. After the ban of this practice, silver compounds appear as a potential alternative to other products already in use. The results of different studies with different species revealed that Ag NPs had no negative impact on their growth and development. Our works at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman using 0.5, 1 and 1.5 ppm Ag NPs in water improved the number of lactic acid bacteria without any negative impact on broiler performance. However, the major concerns about the safe use of additive in animal feeding are its effective role as antimicrobial, acting selectively over potential pathogens but not over symbiotic microbial communities; a low toxic effect over the animal and its human consumer; and a low risk of environmental pollution. Despite the growth of commercialization of Ag NPs, little is known about the environmental effects of the widespread use of the products containing AgNPs. As low as just a few ng L⁻¹, can affect prokaryotes, invertebrates and fish indicating a significant potential risk to the environment. Mechanisms of toxicity are still poorly understood although it seems clear that in some cases nanoscale specific properties may cause biouptake and toxicity above that caused by the dissolved Ag ions. The present study reviews the proceeding research works on toxcicity of Ag NPs along with some recommendations for better understanding of the role of nanoscale silver particles in environmental and ecotoxicological researchs.