ZINC OXIDE (ZnO) NANOPARTICLES INDUCED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE LIVER OF FRESHWATER FISH, CYPRINUS CARPIO

Nanotechnology, most advanced field of research has extended its application to areas in medicine, biotechnology, energy and environment. The broad application of this technology is in part due to the finding that, as the size of the particles were reduced; many new properties have been realized in various scientific fields, such as pharmacology, electronic engineering, magnetic fields and semi-conductors. Clear interest in the potential benefits of nanomaterials and a greater production of these materials has naturally led to an increased concern about the potential toxic effects resulting from their usage or unintentional release into the environment. Among numerous nanomaterials, zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted special attention worldwide due to its excellent properties as compared to its bulk counterpart and has been widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens, paints, photocatalysis, UV filters, biosensors and so on. However, the high potential of it being released directly and indirectly into aquatic environments increase the chances of exposure to human and aquatic ecosystem. In the present study the toxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the liver structure of Common carp was investigated.