Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the ecotoxic properties of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO nanoparticles), in freshwater pond snail Radix leuteola L. (R. luteola). Before observations of MgO nanoparticles toxic potential, average size and shape of MgO nanoparticles was measured by dynamic light scattering and field transmission electron microscope. Exposure of MgO nanoparticles encouraged an elevation in levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and coincidentally decreases in glutathione reduced after 1 and 4 days, suggesting pro-oxidant effects of the nanoparticles in R. luteola. Other anti-oxidant enzyme, i.e., catalase and glutathione-s-transferase were declined at 34 mu g/ml of MgO nanoparticles and increased at 51 mu g/ml of MgO nanoparticles during exposure periods. Single strand DNA disintegration happened in R. luteola due to lethal effect of MgO nanoparticles was confirmed by comet test and exhibited in the form of olive tail moment and per cent tail DNA. DNA damage and enzyme increased more effectively at the higher concentration of MgO nanoparticles at 4 days. This approach provides crucial new information regarding the unknown effects of MgO nanoparticles in freshwater snail. The evaluation of DNA integrity in R. luteola reveals quick indication of pollution of the aquatic ecosystem by MgO nanoparticles.