Acclimation of Tetrahymena thermophila to bulk and nano-TiO2 particles by changes in membrane fatty acids saturation

Abstract We provide experimental evidence that changes in the membrane fatty acid profile of Tetrahymena thermophila incubated with nano- or bulk TiO 2 particle are not accompanied by ROS generation or lipid peroxidation. Consequently these changes are interpreted as acclimation to unfavorable conditions and not as toxic effects. T. thermophila cells were exposed to TiO 2 particles at different concentrations for 24 h at 32 °C. Treatment of cultures with nano- and bulk TiO 2 particles resulted in changes of membrane fatty acid profile, indicating increased membrane rigidity, but no lipid peroxidation or ROS generation was detected. There were no differences in membrane composition when T. thermophila was exposed to nanosized or bulk-TiO 2 particles. We also observed reversible filling of food vacuoles, but this was different in case of nano- or bulk TiO 2 exposure. Our results suggest that interactions of particles and cell membranes are independent of oxidative stress.