Candle soot derived carbon nanoparticles: An assessment of cellular and progressive toxicity using Drosophila melanogaster model

The biomedical demand of the nanomaterials is continuously increasing due to their wide range of applications in the field. However, before the implementation of these nanomaterials, toxicity assessment is essential for its safe usage. In the present study, the toxicity of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) was investigated which was derived from candle soot and compared with commercially available multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. First instar Drosophila larvae were exposed to CNPs as well as CNTs, and the toxic effects of these nanomaterials were compared. The result shows that both nanomaterials enhance the level of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the Drosophila, which leads to the upregulation of heat shock proteins that may cause cytotoxicity in exposed Drosophila larvae. In contrast, exposure to CNPs and CNTs did not affect the developmental period of the larvae. Morphology of the internal organs, brain, gut and Malpighian tubules was also not altered in the exposed larvae. Similarly, no change observed in the cytoskeleton (F-actin) of these organs. Reproductive performance was slightly reduced in the case of CNPs compare to control. However, CNTs exposure did not show any significant effect on the reproductive performance of the flies that emerged from exposed larvae in comparison to control. Hence the study concludes that exposure to CNPs and CNTs cause a moderate level of cytotoxicity in Drosophila. The study also indicates that the inexpensive CNPs may use as an alternative to expensive CNTs for biomedical and biological applications.