**2.16. Toxicological profile**

Today, few studies are available, and there is limited knowledge about the toxicity of nanoclays and the chemical derivatives that may be generated during the production and processing of polymer nanoclay composites. However, in general, nanoclay is not considered to pose a major health risk although a possible content of crystalline quartz may constitute a risk.

deliver nutrients. Their unique structure is able to place bioactive molecules in the interior space. Nanoparticles that contain nutrients have the ability to protect GI against the environment and control the release features. They can enter the cell and with their adhesion properties facilitate the transfer of GI molecules against barriers. Also, they exhibit low toxicity. Research on the development of clay nanoparticles based on oral delivery systems for nutrients or functional compounds indicates that they are effective in protecting and controlling deliveries and also contributing to the increased bioavailability. The promising potential of the clay nanoparticles makes a new perspectives for the development of nano-based oral delivery systems. The toxicity of nanomaterials is a very important issue. In general, the results show that higher doses of clay nanoparticles result in the death of cells, which is a concern for medical applications. As an important point in the application of clay nanoparticles in delivery systems, to achieve claybased controlled delivery systems, one of the best ways is to place organic molecules on the underlying layers of mineral clay. Besides, its composites can be used to improve properties.

Development of Clay Nanoparticles Toward Bio and Medical Applications

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77341

Seyyed Mojtaba Mousavi1,2, Seyyed Alireza Hashemi1,2, Sarvenaz Salahi<sup>3</sup>

Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

1 Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and

2 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,

4 Department of Science, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sayad Shirazi St. Islamshahr,

[1] Choi SJ, Kim YR. Bioinspired Layered Nanoclays for Nutraceutical Delivery System. In

[2] Egger S, Lehmann RP, Height MJ, Loessner MJ, Schuppler M. Antimicrobial properties of a novel silver-silica nanocomposite material. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

[3] Lim MC, Shin YJ, Jeon TJ, Kim HY, Kim YR. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

5 Department of Chemical Engineering,University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Ali Mohammad Amani1,2\* and Aziz Babapoor<sup>5</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: amani\_a@sums.ac.ir

3 Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Tehran, Iran

ACS Symp. Series. 2013. pp. 207-220

2009;**75**(9):2973-2976

2011;**400**:777-785

, Mojgan Hosseini4

,

183

**Author details**

Iran

Tehran, Iran

**References**

**Figure 13.** Typical AFM images of (a) bentonite, (b) montmorillonite, (c) kaolin, (d) halloysite, (e) silica, and (f) graphene oxide nanoparticles.


**Table 4.** Hydrodynamic diameters, zeta-potential values, and AFM measured sizes of nanoclay particles, silica nanospheres, and graphene oxide nanoflakes.

Furthermore, functionalized nanoclays containing quaternary ammonium or phosphonium functional groups on the surface are described as potentially problematic, as ammonium and phosphonium ions in their pure form can cause asthma symptoms (NFA, 2010) [78].
