Ecotoxic effect of mycogenic silver nanoparticles in water and soil environment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most widely used nanomaterials due to their antimicrobial properties. Among the AgNPs synthesis methods, the biological route has become preferable because of its efficiency and eco-friendly character. Filamentous fungi can be successfully used in biosynthesis of AgNPs. The extensive application of AgNPs and their ever increasing production raise concerns about their environmental safety. AgNPs can be released during manufacturing processes or by leaching from AgNPs-supplemented products, and then enter the natural environment. Water and soil ecosystems are most exposed to the AgNPs presence. The present study aimed at evaluating the ecotoxicological potential of AgNPs derived from Gloeophyllum striatum fungus. The assessment was performed using organisms from water and soil ecosystems. Our results suggest that the presence of AgNPs can threaten the organisms inhabiting exposed ecosystems and the adverse effects of AgNPs differ depending on the organism species. Freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna was found to be the most sensitive among the tested species with EC₅₀ values ranging 0.026-0.027 µg/mL after 48 h exposure. Crop plants were the least affected by the presence of AgNPs with EC₅₀ values above tested AgNPs concentration range. Moreover, it was noted that ecotoxicological potential varied depending on the AgNPs synthesis scheme and these differences were the most visible in the case of S. polyrhiza.