Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have received significant amounts of attention recently due to their unique combination of features: renewability and large application space. However, the availability of data regarding the impact of CNMs to human health and environmental safety is deficient. This impedes technology advancement and applications for these materials in multiple industries such as food, food packaging, electronics, composites and health. A reliable characterization methodology to locate and track these materials in vivo and in vitro will be crucial to monitoring the distribution and degree of dispersion of CNMs in biological matrices. To address this issue, we have synthesized a meso-DichloroTrazineEthylBodipy (mDTEB) fluorescent probe as a photo-stable, pH resistant, chemically stable, and non-toxic fluorophore. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were labeled using a mDTEB probe in alkaline conditions at room temperature. Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was used to assay commercially produced CNF and mDTEB-CNF. FILM analysis show that lignin-like impurities have an impact on the labeling of nanoparticles, indicating that the chemical composition of CNMs and the method applied to produce them have a significant impact in subsequent studies. The direct toxicity assessment was performed for CNF oral exposure studies. An in vitro triculture epithelial model was used to assess biokinetics and toxicity of ingested mDTEB-CNF. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used for environmental toxicity studies. No cytotoxicity was observed for CNF/mDTEB-CNF on either the gastrointestinal triculture cells or on embryos of zebrafish. In conclusion, we developed a labeling strategy for mDTEB - cellulose nanomaterials that remains attached and stable across the varying buffer pHs of the digestive tract.

Toxicological risk assessment of cellulose nanofibrils by using a fluorescent molecular probe

2019 Fall National Meeting

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