Abstract
Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) are widely utilized in industrial and biomedical applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties; however, their potential biological effects require comprehensive evaluation. In this study, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster was employed to investigate the impacts of dietary exposure to SiO2 NPs of different sizes and concentrations on developmental and reproductive outcomes. The assessed parameters included egg-laying rate, pupation time, adult emergence time, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, larval weight, and sex ratio. The results revealed that at concentrations of 0.2% or lower, neither nanoparticle size produced significant effects on development or reproductive capacity. In contrast, exposure to 2% SiO2 NPs (both 15 nm and 30 nm) led to reduced body weight in third instar larvae. Notably, 30 nm SiO2 NPs exposure significantly decreased pupation and adult emergence rates and was associated with delayed pupation and emergence times. Although total egg production remained unchanged, flies exposed to 30 nm SiO2 NPs exhibited an earlier oviposition peak. These findings suggest that exposure to SiO2 NPs at the national standard concentration of 0.2% does not cause notable developmental effects in Drosophila, whereas a tenfold increase in concentration may induce developmental delays. Considering that the 0.2% standard is based on human exposure and accounting for interspecies extrapolation, the 2% concentration may still represent a relevant dose range. Overall, these results indicate that excessive intake of SiO2 NPs could pose toxicological risks and provide a theoretical foundation for further studies on the mechanisms underlying SiO2 NPs-induced toxicity.
