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Bacterial cell association and antimicrobial activity of a C 60 water suspension
Author(s) -
Lyon Delina Y.,
Fortner John D.,
Sayes Christie M.,
Colvin Vicki L.,
Hughes Joseph B.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1897/04-649r.1
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , antimicrobial , escherichia coli , suspension (topology) , bacteria , chemistry , fullerene , gram , bacillales , food science , toxicity , salt (chemistry) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , gene , genetics , mathematics , homotopy , pure mathematics
Prior to the implementation of any new technology, possible environmental and health repercussions first must be researched. Fullerenes are to be produced soon on an industrial scale, with applications quickly following. To investigate the possible environmental impact of fullerenes, a C 60 ‐water suspension (nano‐C 60 ) was synthesized and then evaluated for cell‐association and toxicity, using the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as indicator species. In a defined low‐salts medium, nano‐C 60 associated with both the Gram‐negative E. coli and the Gram‐positive B. subtilis , albeit more strongly with the former. Nano‐C 60 also displayed antimicrobial properties against both E. coli and B. subtilis , with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 0.5 to 1 mg/L and 1.5 to 3.0 mg/L, respectively. Media with higher salt contents result in the nano‐C 60 particles aggregating and falling out of suspension; thus, higher salt solutions reduced or eliminated the antimicrobial properties of nano‐C 60 .