The projects main goal is to determine which of the chosen NPs (graphene oxide - GO, silver nanoparticles - AgNPs, and GO-Ag composite) and in what concentration can change the activity of digestive enzymes of a model organism (Acheta domesticus).
The partgoals of this project are to check and describe:
1. Determination of the relationship between the concentration of GO, AgNPs, GO-Ag composite, and the activity of selected digestive enzymes (proteases, amylases, α-glucosidase, β -glucosidase, β-galactosidase, and lipases) in A. domesticus.
2. Description of potential changes in the activity of digestive enzymes depending on the exposure time, with particular emphasis on the early phase of exposure, in which hormetic effects can occur.
3. Determination of the food budget in A. domesticus in the early phase of exposure to the NPs.
4. Determination of gut cell viability (share of apoptotic, live, and dead cells) in crickets exposed to NPs in time- and concentration-dependent scheme.
5. Description of the gut ultrastructure of A. domesticus after exposure to GO-Ag composite.
(2024)