TOXICOLOGICAL SCREENING IN ZEBRAFISH (Danio rerio) OF THE CRUDE EXTRACT RICH IN CAROTENOIDS OF CANTALOUPE MELON (Cucumis melo L.) NANONOENCAPSULATED IN GELATIN
Cucurbitaceae, β-carotene, Nanoencapsulation, Embryotoxicity, Oxidative stress.
The nanoencapsulation of carotenoids is an excellent strategy to ensure the preservation and potentiation of bioactive effects, promoting stability, solubilization in water, and improving their physicochemical properties. However, one of the major current concerns is related to the toxicity effects of these nanoparticles. Thus, the objective of this study was to carry out the toxicological screening of the crude extract rich in carotenoids from Cantaloupe melon (CE) and its nanoparticles based on porcine gelatin containing CE (EPG) in an animal model of zebrafish (Danio rerio). The CE was obtained from Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis Melo L.) in processes that involved drying the melon pulp (55 ̊C/24 h) to obtain flour, maceration in ethanol (1:4 w/v) and partition in hexane (1:1 v/v). The nanoparticles were obtained through the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsification technique. To characterize the nanoparticles concerning morphology, chemical interactions, particle size, and encapsulation efficiency, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Laser Diffraction, and Incorporation Efficiency analyzes were carried out (EI), respectively. In an animal model, the embryos were exposed to concentrations of 12.5 mg/L and 50 mg/L of CE and EPG for the embryotoxicity test. Based on the characterization results, EPG showed an IE of 94% (4.04), a smooth surface without depressions, a diameter of 88.7 nm (7.02), and a polydispersion index of 0.41 (0.03). FTIR evidenced the emergence of new bands in EPG compared to CE, evidencing new chemical interactions. In the animal model, after 96 hours post fertilization (hpf) exposure, no anomalies were observed in the groups treated with CE and EPG, and the heartbeats remained between 132 and 138 rpm within the expected range for embryos, similar to the control groups negative and DMSO. The groups that received CE and EPG did not show significant morphological alterations. The mortality level was below 20%, revealing no embryotoxic character for CE and EPG in the concentrations used. Still in progress, the optomotor response to embryos, neurotoxicity, and generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) will be evaluated. So far, CE and EPG have not shown toxicity and are safe for future in vivo analyses.