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Mitigating environmental toxicity with hydrogen nanobubbles: A mitochondrial function-based approach to ecological
Han Bao1, You Zhang1, Shuang Lv1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
Environment International
|November 8, 2024
Summary
Hydrogen nanobubbles (NBs) improve algae
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Nanobubbles (NBs) enhance hydrogen retention and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Mechanisms underlying NB effects in biological systems are not fully understood.
- Oxidative stress in algae is induced by heavy metal ions like copper (Cu2+) and cadmium (Cd2+).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hydrogen nanobubble density in mitigating heavy metal-induced oxidative stress in green algae.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which hydrogen nanobubbles affect cellular processes, particularly mitochondrial function.
- To correlate nanobubble physicochemical properties with their protective effects on Chlorella vulgaris.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of hydrogen nanobubble water with varying densities.
- Exposure of Chlorella vulgaris to copper and cadmium ions under different nanobubble conditions.
- Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and algal growth inhibition.
- Gas chromatography to analyze hydrogen gas density within nanobubbles.
- Assessment of mitochondrial activity, including membrane potential and electron transfer rates.
Main Results:
- A higher nanobubble density correlated with increased tolerance to copper ions and enhanced ROS removal.
- Hydrogen nanobubbles exhibited high gas density, facilitating hydrogen transport into algal cells.
- Nanobubbles improved mitochondrial complex I and V function and increased mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Significant increases in electron transfer rates were observed in the presence of hydrogen nanobubbles.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen nanobubbles augment intracellular hydrogen delivery due to their high gas density.
- Hydrogen nanobubbles strengthen mitochondrial functions in Chlorella vulgaris under oxidative stress.
- Nanobubble density is a critical factor in their efficacy for protecting algae from heavy metal toxicity.
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