Exploring the safety of the sustainable toxicity testing in zebrafish and brine shrimp using nanoemulsions formulated from fish byproducts and lemon oil

• Main Authors: Hendawy, Amira Ayman, Elgharbawy, Amal A M, Mohd Noor, Najihah, Al-Saari, Nurhidayu, Azmi, Nor Azrini Nadiha, Mohd Salleh, Hamzah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) 2024
• Subjects: HD9016.5 Halal Science; QD Chemistry; RS Pharmacy and materia medica
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/116869/1/Exploring%20the%20Safety%20of%20the%20Sustainable%20Toxicity%20Testing%20in%20Zebrafish%20and%20Brine%20Shrimp%20Using%20Nanoemulsions%20Formulated%20from%20Fish%20Byproducts%20and%20Lemon%20Oil.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/116869/; https://www.mdpi.com/2504-5377/8/6/59

Nanoemulsions, characterized by their nanosized particles ranging from 20 to 200 nm, are effective carriers for drug molecules. Our novel oil-in-water nanoemulsion, NE-FLO™, formulated from lemon and fish byproduct oils, demonstrates promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with initial studies indicating nontoxicity to normal skin cells. This study investigated the safety of NE-FLO™ using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) models, focusing on concentration-dependent effects and LC50 values. At lower concentrations (0.1 mg·L−1, 0.01 mg·L−1, and 0.001 mg·L−1), NE-FLO™ showed minimal toxicity without adverse effects. However, at 1 mg·L−1, reduced survival rates indicate potential toxicity. Specifically, this concentration also induces altered swimming behaviors in zebrafish. LC50 values are 8.7474 mg·L−1 for brine shrimp and 0.316 mg·L−1 for adult zebrafish. These results underscore the necessity for further detailed investigations into NE-FLO™, balancing its therapeutic benefits with potential toxicity risks. This study emphasizes the importance of optimizing nanoemulsion formulations from fish oil and conducting comprehensive safety assessments to meet regulatory standards.