Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are common nanoparticles and widely used in many fields such as sun protection products, cosmetics, pigments, industrial coatings, plastic additives, semiconductors, textiles, and antibacterial agents.
The present study was aimed to test the toxicity of ZnO-NPs on the biochemical parameters, glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity (CAT) of a single cell alternative model widely used in cellular and molecular biology: Paramecium tetraurelia.
The results obtained show that ZnO induces growth inhibition and disruption of mobility, as well as an increase in protein levels and a decrease in carbohydrate levels. Thus an increase in Catalase activity and a decrease in the level of GSH thus confirming the initiation of the detoxification process.
IJPRAS
