Size-, composition- and shape-dependent toxicological impact of metal oxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes toward bacteria.
Ecotoxicological effects of nanoparticles (NP) are still poorly documented while their commercialization for industrial and household applications increases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of physicochemical characteristics on metal oxide NP and carbon nanotubes toxicological effects toward bacteria. Two strains of bacteria, Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Escherichia coli MG1655 were exposed to TiO(2) or Al(2)O(3) NP or to multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Particular attention was paid on optimizing NP dispersion to obtain nonagglomerated suspensions. Our results show that NP toxicity depends on their chemical composition, size, surface charge, and shape but not on their crystalline phase. MWCNT toxicity does not depend on their purity. Toxicity also depends on the bacterial strain: E. coli MG1655 is sensitive to NP, whereas C. metallidurans CH34 is not. Interestingly, NP are accumulated in both bacterial strains, and association between NP and bacteria is necessary for bacterial death to occur. NP may then represent a danger for the environment, causing the disappearance of some sensitive bacterial strains such as E. coli MG1655, but also being mobilized by nonsensitive strains such as C. metallidurans CH34 and transported through the whole ecosystem.
Simon-Deckers
Angélique
A
CEA, IRAMIS, Service interdisciplinaire des systemes moleculaires et materiaux (CEA-CNRS UMR9956) CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
Loo
Sylvain
S
Mayne-L'hermite
Martine
M
Herlin-Boime
Nathalie
N
Menguy
Nicolas
N
Reynaud
Cécile
C
Gouget
Barbara
B
Carrière
Marie
M
D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003470:Culture Media; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000633:toxicity*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D003470:Culture Media; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010087:Oxides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species