Evaluation of silver nanoparticles toxicity in Daphnia magna: Comparison of chemical and green biosynthetic productions

Recently nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles, are broadly used in industry, hence the contamination of the environment with AgNPs has caused considerable concern. In this study, the toxicity of biosynthetic nanosilver produced by two macroalgae: Sargassum boveanum and Ulva flexuosa extracts were compared with chemical nanosilver in Daphnia magna. Size and quality of nanoparticles evaluated by TEM, FT-IR spectrum, and Particle size analyzer. The acute toxicity test was evaluated following the OECD and Test guideline No: 211. D. magna were reproduced using parthenogenesis from a single individual according to OECD guideline. Then Daphnia exposed to eight serial dilutions of each nanosilver in triplicates for 48 hours. The mortality rate after 12h, 24h, 36h, and 48h were recorded and analyzed using probit software. Results showed that all nanosilver (regardless of their synthesis origin) were toxic in Daphnia and acute toxicity of this nanosilver was different (p