Properties of Kenaf Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) as Potential Larvicide Nanocarrier and Its Acute Ecotoxicity against Daphnia Magna and Dania rerio

ABSTRACT

The study investigates nonmodified kenaf cellulose nanofiber (CNF) physicochemical properties, loading capability, and its acute toxicity against Daphnia magna and Dania rerio concerning the dispersion stability behavior of the kenaf CNF as a potential larvicide nanocarrier. The physicochemical properties of kenaf CNF were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area and porosity, and zeta potential. The loading capability was assessed using various water volumes, and the acute ecotoxicity was determined following the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines Test no. 202 and Test no. 203, respectively. Kenaf CNF is a fibrous high aspect ratio nanomaterial comprising a negatively charged hydroxyl group with moderate particle stability and high loading capability. With high dispersion stability in the freshwater environment’s aquatic conditions, kenaf CNF did not cause abnormalities and mortality to the D. rerio and no acute immobilization against D. magna. The kenaf CNF could be a candidate to function as a larvicide nanocarrier with insignificant acute ecotoxicity. The EC₅₀ and LC₅₀ for D. magna and D. rerio were above 100 mg/L and classified as nonhazardous to the aquatic environment according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

摘要

研究了未改性红麻CNF的理化性质、负载能力及其对大型蚤和斑马鱼的急性毒性，探讨了红麻CNF作为一种潜在的杀幼虫纳米载体的分散稳定性. 采用场发射扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、傅立叶变换红外光谱、X射线衍射、比表面积、孔隙率和电位对红麻CNF的理化性质进行了表征. 使用不同的水量评估负荷能力，并分别按照OECD试验指南第202号试验和第203号试验确定急性生态毒性. 红麻CNF是一种纤维状高深宽比纳米材料，由带负电荷的羟基组成，具有中等的粒子稳定性和较高的负载能力. 红麻CNF在淡水环境的水生条件下具有很高的扩散稳定性，不会对河豚造成异常和死亡，也不会对大型水蚤造成急性固着. 红麻CNF可以作为一种具有轻微急性生态毒性的杀幼虫剂纳米载体. 根据全球统一制度（GHS），大型蚤和雷氏大鲵的半数致死浓度（EC50）和半数致死浓度（LC50）均在100毫克/升以上，被列为对水生环境无害.

KEYWORDS:

• Cellulose nanofiber
• nanocarrier
• mosquito larvicide
• acute ecotoxicity
• daphnids
• zebrafish

关键词:

• 纤维素纳米纤维
• 纳米载体
• 杀蚊剂
• 急性生态毒性
• 水蚤
• 斑马鱼

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to management and staff of the Environmental Technology Research Center (ETRC) SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia, especially Ms. Isnazunita Ismail for her advice and support in conducting ecotoxicity experiment at the facility and to Mr. Muhammad Iylia Rozali and Ms. Karimah Muhamad for the technical assistance. Dr. Rahmatullah Holding Sdn. Bhd. for the supply of raw kenaf bast, Vector Control Research Unit (VCRU) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for supply of larvae, Animal Research Section and Integrative Medicine Cluster, USM for the laboratory facilities. This work was supported by USM under grant number KPI/MyRA:1001:CIPPT.AUPS001 and UIAA Intellectual Advisory (ORO/20/11-UIAA(1)). Appreciation was also extended to the Ministry of Higher Learning, Malaysia, and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) for the scholarship of doctorate study.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in the conduct of the study.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the UIAA Intellectual Advisory [ORO/20/11-UIAA(1)]; Universiti Sains Malaysia [KPI/MyRA:1001:CIPPT.AUPS001].