title: Surface association and uptake of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles by Aspergillus flavus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the interaction of fluorescently tagged nanoparticles with Aspergillus flavus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Covalently tagged poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLGA-tetramethylrhodamine [PLGA-TRITC]), and PLGA-TRITC with entrapped coumarin-6 (double-tagged) nanoparticles, were synthesized using an oil-in-water emulsion evaporation method. Nanoparticle interaction with A. flavus was assessed using fluorescent microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PLGA-TRITC nanoparticles associated with the surface of fungal spores and hyphae, with limited fluorescence observed within the interior. With double-tagged nanoparticles, comparatively more red fluorescence (TRITC) was measured on the fungal surface and more green (coumarin-6) on the interior, resulting from uptake of released coumarin-6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of nanoparticles associated with the fungal surface, while smaller nanoparticles were internalized. Surface association between polymeric nanoparticles and A. flavus may facilitate content uptake.
authors.affiliation: Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department, Louisiana State University & LSU Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Erica S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Muse
authors.forename: Nipur R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Carlos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Astete
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Damann
authors.forename: Cristina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sabliov
mesh_terms: D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003374:Coumarins / Q000378:metabolism; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D025301:Hyphae / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D053758:Nanoparticles; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000378:metabolism; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003374:Coumarins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; D013844:Thiazoles; C517282:coumarin 6; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C009434:tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate