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Impact of fullerene particle interaction on biochemical activities in fermenting Zymomonas mobilis
Author(s) -
An Hongjie,
Jin Bo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.1752
Subject(s) - zymomonas mobilis , chemistry , fullerene , fermentation , biophysics , biochemistry , biology , ethanol fuel , organic chemistry
It has become a concern that increasing applications of fullerene (C 60 ) particles for industrial and, in particular, medical practices can pose potential risks to the ecosystem because of their excellent ability for electron uptake and reactivity in living organisms. In the present study, the authors explored the molecular interactions between bacterial cells and C 60 nanoparticles (nano‐C 60 aggregates and fullerenol) and their impact on biochemical activities of Zymomonas mobilis in a fermentation system. Experimental results showed that fullerenol demonstrated a considerable impact on cell damage and biochemical performance. The ethanol‐producing Z. mobilis reacted with the C 60 species and performed less ethanol production, while producing more organic acids. Microscopic observations indicated that the interactions between the bacterial cells and the fullerenols could damage cell membranes and remove cell compartments by vesicle exocytosis. The present study indicated that the exposure of C 60 species can lead to microbial–nanoparticle interaction and a variation of metabolism. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:712–716. © 2012 SETAC