A research by the Politecnico di Milano with the University of Siena published in the journal «Environmental Science Nano»

Cellulose nanofibres represent a promising resource for multiple industrial sectors, but what is their impact on the marine environment? A study published in the prestigious journal «Environmental Science Nano» of the Royal Society of Chemistry recently addressed this issue in a study on marine organisms considered sentinels of sea health: mussels.

The work was conducted jointly by the research groups O^SCMLab from the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta” (Dr Laura Riva and Prof. Carlo Punta), and EcoBiomLab from the Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Siena (Dr Tatiana Rusconi and Prof. Ilaria Corsi), in collaboration with Prof. Montserrat Solé from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona. 

The study analysed two types of cellulose nanofibres – oxidised and non-oxidised – to assess their ecotoxicological impact on Mediterranean mussels and to determine how safe they are for the marine environment.

The results showed that cellulose nanofibres can affect the immune response of mussels and alter the functionality of their gills through physical interactions (surface adhesion). However, the study did not observe any toxicity such as to endanger the species' survival, nor conditions of stress capable of altering its response to environmental changes.

Laboratory experiments also ruled out possible changes in the pH and salinity of sea water following the release of nanofibres.

Prof. Carlo Punta commented: «This study opens the door to a responsible use of this nanomaterial, of growing interest in sustainable applications in the cosmetics, paper, packaging and paint sectors, as well as in construction and the automotive industry».

> Press release (in Italian) 

Environmental safety of nanocellulose: an acute in vivo study with marine mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis

Tatiana Rusconi, Laura Riva, Carlo Punta, Montserrat Solé and Ilaria Corsi

> View the paper

Release

La nanocellulosa sempre più sicura per i nostri mari, le evidenze da uno studio condotto su mitili
Lescienze.it - 16 Aprile 2024