RESUMO
Magnetic silver nanoparticles (MNPAg) are interesting nanotechnology materials with borderless environmental science, that can be used to disinfect water contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. The use of MNPAg leads to increased risk of nanomaterial contamination in the environment, especially natural water sources, with harmful effects on the ecosystem. This study investigating survival and enzyme activity of magnetic O-carboxymethylchitosan loaded silver nanoparticle on Artemia salina. The results showed that mortality increased with increasing concentrations of MNPAg. O-Carboxymethylchitosan loaded silver nanoparticles were found to be more toxic, with a LC50 of 902.1 mg/L for γ-Fe2O3/Ag without reducing agent. Accumulation of silver on Artemia salina depends on the type of nanoparticle. Accumulation of nanoparticle containing polymers (carboxymethylchitosan/γ-Fe2O3/Ag without reducing agent, carboxymethylchitosan/γ-Fe2O3/Ag reduced with sucrose and carboxymethylchitosan/γ-Fe2O3/Ag reduced with NaBH4) were found to be higher than γ-Fe2O3/Ag reduced with NaBH4, γ-Fe2O3/Ag reduced with sucrose and γ-Fe2O3/Ag without reducing agent under the same experimental conditions. The antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD and GST) activities increased slightly following exposure, indicating that the toxic effects are related to oxidative stress. The combined results so far indicate that MNPA does not have the potential to affect aquatic organisms when released into the ecosystem.