Abstract:
Different applications of nanotechnology has led to various environmental concerns despite its some positive effects in agriculture and poultry to improve growth and development of plants and chicken. The aim of present work was to assess the phytotoxicity in response to TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) application and effects on chicken upon exposure to TNPs through feed highlighting food chain contamination. The parameters considered were root and shoot length, plant biomass, chlorophyll content, uptake in grains and changes in root morphology. Impacts on local chicken were assessed by their growth performance and biochemical blood profile. TNPs were synthesized through liquid impregnation method and characterization was done using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Rice was grown in soil amended with TNPs (particle size 17-30 nm) to develop concentration levels of 0, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 mg kg-1. Chicken were given dosages of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1 of chick body weight for 45 days. The growth of rice was enhanced up to 700 mg kg-1 and decreased at higher concentrations. ICP results detected no Ti in grains while SEM images confirmed that TNPs enhanced root hair development. TNPs showed no adverse effect on chicken development as well as biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference between control and treated groups except for Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Significant decrease in BUN levels can be attributed to disturbance in kidney or liver functioning induced by TNPs.
