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1768730 
Journal Article 
Studies on toxicity of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles to microalgae species: Scenedesmus sp and Chlorella sp 
Sadiq, IM; Pakrashi, S; Chandrasekaran, N; Mukherjee, A 
2011 
Yes 
Journal of Nanoparticle Research
ISSN: 1388-0764
EISSN: 1572-896X 
13 
8 
3287-3299 
WOS:000292749100022 
In view of increasing commercial applications of metal
oxide nanoparticles their toxicity assessment becomes important. Alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles
have wide range of applications in industrial as well as personal care products. In the absence
of prior report on toxicological impact of alumina nanoparticles to microalgae, the principal
objective of this study was to demonstrate the effect of the nanoparticles on microalgae isolated
from aquatic environment (Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp.). The growth inhibitory effect of
alumina nanoparticles was observed for both the species (72 h EC50 value, 45.4 mg/L for Chlorella
sp.; 39.35 mg/L for Scenedesmus sp.). Bulk alumina also showed toxicity though to a lesser extent
(72 h EC50 value, 110.2 mg/L for Chlorella sp.; 100.4 mg/L for Scenedesmus sp.). A clear decrease
in chlorophyll content was observed in the treated cells compared to the untreated ones, more
effect being notable in the case of nanoparticles. Preliminary results based on FT-IR studies,
optical and scanning electron microscopic images suggest interaction of the nanoparticles with
the cell surface. 
Nanoparticles; Alumina; Microalgae; EC50; Shading effect; Aggregates; Surface interactions; Health effects; EHS