Synthesis of lead nanoparticles by Aspergillus species.
In the context of the current demand to develop green technologies in material synthesis, a natural process in the synthesis of lead particles by Aspergillus species to suit such technology is reported. The fungal strain was grown in medium containing different concentrations of lead (0.2-1.5 mM) to determine its resistance to heavy metals. The organism was found to utilize some mechanism and accumulate lead particles outside and inside the cell. The extracellular presence of lead particles in the range of 1.77-5.8 microm was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of particles of lead in the 5-20 nm size range was found on the cell surface, in the periplasmic space and in the cytoplasm and was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.
Department of Biotechnology, Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology Bachupally, Hyderabad India, 500090. pavani_20042003@yahoo.co.in
K V
KV
Pavani
N Sunil
NS
Kumar
B B
BB
Sangameswaran
D001230:Aspergillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010316:Particle Size