Assessment of the Toxic Effects of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) on the Biochemical Profile of Lissachatina fulica (Mollusca: Achatinidae)
Vikas Varpe
*
Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar- 431001, India.
Sudhir Naphade *
Department of Zoology, Yashwantrao Chavan College of Arts, Commerce, and Science, Sillod, Dist. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-431112, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers a promising approach for pest management, and this study evaluated the effects of silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag₂O NPs) on the biochemical composition of the giant African snail Lissachatina fulica. Snails were exposed to two concentrations (5 and 10 ppm) for 48 and 96 hours, and changes in protein, lipid, and carbohydrate levels were analyzed in the intestine and foot muscles.
The results showed a significant, concentration- and time-dependent decline in all biochemical components in both tissues. At 10 ppm after 96 hours, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents were markedly reduced, with the intestine showing greater sensitivity than the foot muscle. These findings indicate that Ag₂O NPs induce metabolic stress, leading to depletion of energy reserves and disruption of biochemical balance, highlighting the potential physiological risks of prolonged nanoparticle exposure.
Keywords: Silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2o NPs), biochemical analysis, Lissachatina fulica, LD-50, toxicity