**2.3. Biocompatibility**

In general, clay nanoparticles are considered as biodegradable materials. In fact, cationic minerals have traditionally been applied in a variety of fields including skin chemotherapy, laxatives, antidiarrhea, and anti-inflammatory agents as well as antimicrobial agents [40–42]. Recently, they are used as lubricants and distributary in pharmaceutical programs to improve chemical, physical, and organoleptic properties [43–45]. MMT can be considered as an

Clay nanoparticles have attracted a great deal of attention as a good candidate for packaging of various materials, and it clearly demonstrates the increase in the sustainability and

Development of Clay Nanoparticles Toward Bio and Medical Applications

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

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**Figure 3.** (A) X-ray pattern of (a) MMT and (b) GSH-MMT hybrid; and (B) GSH concentration in mice plasma [1].

Al-Beitawi et al. [51] investigated the effect of three levels of nanoclay minerals (1, 1.5, and 2%) on the growth performance of internal organs and blood biochemistry of chickens compared to vaccines and antibiotics. The experiment was conducted in nine diets for more than 36 days [51]. Groups 1–3 were fed with diet without clay mineral nanoparticles, and group C1 (positive with vaccines and antibiotics), C2 (positive only with vaccine), and C3 negative and without any of them (as control group). Treating groups with a similar diet to the levels mentioned earlier were done once or twice in a week. Performance of chickens, which fed with 2% clay nanoparticles, significantly improved in terms of body weight and feed conversion rates compared to control groups. With regard to blood biochemistry, high-density lipoprotein that is beneficial to the body was increased. Current results indicate that the mineral clay nanoparticles at certain levels and doses improve the performance of chickens. Nanotechnology is considered as a new potential tool for improving broiler chickens. Researchers believe that the beneficial and positive effects of the use of mineral clay nanoparticles as an additive to the diet of broiler chicks may be due to several factors such as the concentration, dose, and nature of nanoparticles [51]. Desai et al. observed that a nano-supplement form would increase the surface area, which may also increase the absorption and consequently the use of minerals [52]. In addition, Weiss et al. reported that the size of nanoparticles may increase the function or

**2.5. The effect of clay mineral nanoparticles on the growth performance of internal organs and blood biochemistry of chickens compared to vaccines and antibiotics**

bioavailability of nutrients and compounds [53]. Mushtaq et al. reported that Na+

cation of extracellular fluids involved in several functions including acid-base balance and amino acid absorption and glucose utilization that is beneficial for body growth, which may have a significant improvement in the growth performance of broiler chickens. On the other hand, the interest in using nanotechnology as a new tool in feeding broiler chicks shows that nanoparticles have very different physical and chemical properties from large particles [54]. In 2013, Sawors et al. suggested that the number of muscle cells returns to genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors [55]. On the other hand, creating more accessible mineral resources,

is the main

bioavailability of functional molecules.

**Figure 2.** (A) Double-layer hydroxide and (B) cationic clay (MMT) [1].

eco-friendly cationic clay [46], which is commonly used in many pharmaceutical formulations as an active and additive substance [47]. In addition, anionic nanoparticles of LDH in carbonate form are used as an antacid agent (antipepsin) to neutralize gastric acid, which is related to its alkaline properties under physiological pH [48]. The results show that LDH has a lower toxicity compared to single-walled carbon nanotubes and iron oxide and silica nanoparticles.
