Microbial production and characterization of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles by Shewanella sp. HN-41

A facultative dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella sp. strain HN-41, was used to produce magnetite nanoparticles from a precursor, poorly crystalline ironoxyhydroxide akaganeite (beta-FeOOH), by reducing Fe(III). The diameter of the biogenic magnetite nanoparticles ranged from 26 nm to 38 nm, characterized by dynamic light scattering spectrophotometry. The magnetite nanoparticles consisted of mostly uniformly shaped spheres, which were identified by electron microscopy. The magnetometry revealed the superparamagnetic property of the magnetic nanoparticles. The atomic structure of the biogenic magnetite, which was determined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic analysis, showed similar atomic structural parameters, such as atomic distances and coordinations, to typical magnetite mineral.     

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase synthesis by semicontinuous cultivation of magnetic biocatalysts from cells of Bacillus circulans ATCC 21783

Cells of the alkalotolerant producer of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) Bacillus circulans ATCC 21783 were used as a model for preparing of magnetic biocatalysts applied for CGTase synthesis in batch and semicontinuous processes. The cell immobilization was carried out with four types of magnetic nano- and microparticles: magnetite microparticles (1–5 μm), entrapped in agar gel beads with bacterial cells (AM-biocatalyst); silanized magnetite (20–40 nm) covalently bound on the cell surface (SM-biocatalyst); and alkaline and citrate ferrofluids (10–20 nm), attached on the cell wall by an ionic interaction (FF-alkaline and FF-citrate biocatalyst). The highest CGTase production was achieved after 96 h of semicontinuous process using SM-biocatalysts (particularly, these composed of 80 mg silanized magnetite and 140 mg bacterial cells) when the specific enzyme activity was 8.4-fold higher compared to that of free cells. Cells modified with magnetic alkaline and citrate ferrofluids exhibited 2.19- and 1.55-fold increase of the specific CGTase activities. Magnetic nanoparticles linked on the cell walls by ionic interactions were partially released during the cultivation, while the covalent bond between the activated magnetite and the cells was very stable. The data obtained demonstrate convincingly the effect of the magnetic technologies for an effective enzyme production.     

Biogenic nanosized iron oxides obtained from cultivation of iron bacteria from the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptothrix</Emphasis>

A detailed investigation of nanostructured iron oxides/(oxy)hydroxides gathered after cultivation of bacteria from the genus Leptothrix as iron (II) oxidizers is presented. A specific type of medium is selected for the cultivation of the bacteria. Results for sediment powder and bio-film on glass substrate samples from the same media are discussed. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM images and PPMS measurements are used to prove the exact composition of the biogenic products and to interpret the oxidation process. Analysis of the data collected shows that around 80 % of the iron (II) from the growth medium has been transformed into iron (III) in the form of different (oxy)hydroxides, with the rest found to be in a mixed 2,5 valence in magnetite. Our investigation shows that the bio-film sample has a phase content different from that of the powdered biomass and that lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) is the predominant and the initial biogenic phase in both samples. Magnetite nanoparticles are a secondary product in the bio-film, part of which possesses a defective quasi-maghemite surface layer. In the powdered biomass, the oxidation steps are not fully completed. The initial products are non-stoichiometric and due to the mixed ferric and ferrous ions present, they develop into: (i) lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) as a basic sediment, (ii) magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and (iii) goethite (α-FeOOH) in small quantities. The average size of all iron-bearing particles is found to be below 30 nm. The magnetic measurements performed show a superparamagnetic behavior of the material at room temperature.     

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Penicillium verrucosum and analysis of their antifungal activity

The present study describes the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, using the fungus Penicillium verrucosum. The silver nanoparticles were synthesised by reacting silver nitrate (AgNO₃) with the cell free filtrates of the fungal culture, and were then characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive, and X-ray diffraction analysis to further evaluate their successful biosynthesis, optical and morphological features (size and shape), and crystallinity. The bioactivity of the synthesized nanoparticles against two phytopathogenic fungi i.e: Fusarium chlamydosporum and Aspergillus flavus was evaluated using nanomaterial seeding media. These biogenic silver nanoparticles were polydisperse in nature, with a size of 10–12 nm. With regard to the antifungal activity, 150 ppm of the nanoparticles suppressed the growth of F. chlamydosporum and A. flavus by about 50%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of P. verrucosum to synthesise silver nanoparticles. The present study demonstrates a novel, simple, and eco-friendly process for the generation of biofunctionally useful biogenic nanoparticles.     

High resolution characterization of ectomycorrhizal fungal-mineral interactions in axenic microcosm experiments

Microcosms with Pinus sylvestris seedlings in symbiosis with the fungus mycorrhizal Paxillus involutus were established, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterise plant photosynthate-driven fungal interactions with mineral surfaces. Comparison of images of the same area of the minerals before and after mycorrhizal fungal colonization showed extensive growth of hyphae on three different mineral surfaces – hornblende, biotite and chlorite. A layer of biological exudate, or biolayer, covered the entire mineral surface and was composed of globular features of diameter 10–80 nm, and the morphology of the biolayer differed among mineral types. Similar-sized components were found on the fungal hyphae, but with a more elongated profile. Biolayer and hyphae surfaces both appeared to be hydrophobic with the hyphal surfaces yielding higher maximal adhesive interactions and a wider range of values: the mean (± SE) adhesive forces were 2.63 ± 0.03 and 3.46 ± 0.18 nN for biolayer and hypha, respectively. The highest adhesion forces are preferentially localized at the hyphal surface above the Spitzenkörper region and close to the tip, with a mean interaction force in this locality of 5.24 ± 0.49 nN. Biolayer thickness was between 10 and 40 nm. The underlying mineral was easily broken up by the tip, in contrast to the native mineral. These observations of mineral surfaces colonised by mycorrhizal fungus demonstrate how fungal hyphae are able to form a layer of organic exudates, or biolayer, and its role in hyphal attachment and potential weathering of ferromagnesian silicates, which may supply nutrients to the plant.     

Biogenic antimicrobial silver nanoparticles produced by fungi

Aspergillus tubingensis and Bionectria ochroleuca showed excellent extracellular ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NP), spherical in shape and 35?±?10 nm in size. Ag NP were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and photon correlation spectroscopy for particle size and zeta potential. Proteins present in the fungal filtrate and in Ag NP dispersion were analyzed by electrophoresis (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Ag NP showed pronounced antifungal activity against Candida sp, frequently occurring in hospital infections, with minimal inhibitory concentration in the range of 0.11–1.75 μg/mL. Regarding antibacterial activity, nanoparticles produced by A. tubingensis were more effective compared to the other fungus, inhibiting 98.0 % of Pseudomonas. aeruginosa growth at 0.28 μg/mL. A. tubingensis synthesized Ag NP with surprisingly high and positive surface potential, differing greatly from all known fungi. These data open the possibility of obtaining biogenic Ag NP with positive surface potential and new applications.     

Magnetosomes eliminate intracellular reactive oxygen species in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1

Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize magnetic particles called magnetosomes that cause them to orient to their external magnetic fields. However, the physiological significance and other possible functions of these magnetosomes have not been explored in detail. In this study, we have investigated the biological functions of magnetosomes with respect to their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1. To assess the changes in ROS levels under different conditions, cells were cultured under aerobic or micro-aerobic conditions in medium containing high and low amounts of iron. To ensure that the observed results were not due to nonspecific interactions, reactions were carried out using a mutant deficient in synthesizing magnetite (mamO-deficient mutant), its complementary strain or the wild-type MSR-1. We observed that the levels of intercellular ROS under micro-aerobic conditions with high-iron medium were much higher when the non-synthetic Fe(3) O(4) crystals mutant Mu21-415 was employed for the assay, compared with the wild-type or complementary strain, or when conditions were aerobic with low-iron medium. These results indicated that magnetosomes function in the scavenging of intracellular ROS. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the magnetosomes exhibit peroxidase-like properties, by using the earlier reported in vitro horseradish peroxidase assay for artificial magnetic nanoparticles. In addition to possessing peroxidase-like activity, the magnetosomes also exhibited a more enzymatic kinetic response, suggesting that proteins on the membranes of the magnetosomes likely contribute to the enzymatic activity. This is the first study to demonstrate that magnetosomes play an important role in decreasing or eliminating ROS.     

Interaction of fibrinogen with magnetite nanoparticles

The interaction between fibrinogen and magnetite nanoparticles in solution has been studied by the methods of spin labeling, ferromagnetic resonance, dynamic and Rayleigh light scattering. It is shown that protein molecules adsorb on the surface of nanoparticles to form multilayer protein covers. The number of molecules adsorbed on one nanoparticle amounts to ∼65 and the thickness of the adsorption layer amounts to ∼27 nm. Separate nanoparticles with fibrinogen covers (clusters) form aggregates due to interactions of the end D domains of fibrinogen. Under the influence of direct magnetic field, nanoparticles with adsorbed proteins form linear aggregates parallel to the force lines. It is shown that the rate of protein coagulation during the formation of fibrin gel under the action of thrombin on fibrinogen decreases ∼2 times in the presence of magnetite nanoparticles, and the magnitude of the average fiber mass/length ratio grows.     

Magnetosomes extracted from Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1 showed enhanced peroxidase-like activity under visible-light irradiation

Magnetosomes are intracellular structures produced by magnetotactic bacteria and are magnetic nanoparticles surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane. Magnetosomes reportedly possess intrinsic enzyme mimetic activity similar to that found in horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and can scavenge reactive oxygen species depending on peroxidase activity. Our previous study has demonstrated the phototaxis characteristics of Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1 cells, but the mechanism is not well understood. Therefore, we studied the relationship between visible-light irradiation and peroxidase-like activity of magnetosomes extracted from M. magneticum strain AMB-1. We then compared this characteristic with that of HRP, iron ions, and naked magnetosomes using 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine as a peroxidase substrate in the presence of H₂O₂. Results showed that HRP and iron ions had different activities from those of magnetosomes and naked magnetosomes when exposed to visible-light irradiation. Magnetosomes and naked magnetosomes had enhanced peroxidase-like activities under visible-light irradiation, but magnetosomes showed less affinity toward substrates than naked magnetosomes under visible-light irradiation. These results suggested that the peroxidase-like activity of magnetosomes may follow an ordered ternary mechanism rather than a ping–pong mechanism. This finding may provide new insight into the function of magnetosomes in the phototaxis in magnetotactic bacteria.     

异化铁还原细菌LQ25还原重金属Cr (VI)的特性研究

[背景] 异化铁还原细菌能够在还原Fe （III）的同时将毒性较大的Cr （VI）还原成毒性较小的Cr （III）,解决铬污染的问题。[目的] 基于丁酸梭菌（Clostridium butyricum） LQ25异化铁还原过程制备生物磁铁矿,开展异化铁还原细菌还原Cr （VI）的特性研究。[方法] 构建以氢氧化铁为电子受体和葡萄糖为电子供体的异化铁培养体系。菌株LQ25培养结束时制备生物磁铁矿。设置不同初始Cr （VI）浓度（5、10、15、25和30 mg/L）,分别测定菌株LQ25对Cr （VI）还原效率以及生物磁铁矿对Cr （VI）的还原效率。[结果] 菌株LQ25在设置的Cr （VI）浓度范围内都能良好生长。当Cr （VI）浓度为15 mg/L时,在异化铁培养条件下,菌株LQ25对Cr （VI）的还原率为63.45%±5.13%,生物磁铁矿对Cr （VI）的还原率为87.73%±9.12%,相比菌株还原Cr （VI）的效率提高38%。pH变化能影响生物磁铁矿对Cr （VI）的还原率,当pH 2.0时,生物磁铁矿对Cr （VI）的还原率最高,几乎达到100%。电子显微镜观察发现生物磁铁矿表面有许多孔隙,X-射线衍射图谱显示生物磁铁矿中Fe （II）的存在形式是Fe （OH）₂。[结论] 基于异化铁还原细菌制备生物磁铁矿可用于还原Cr （VI）,这是一种有效去除Cr （VI）的途径。     

Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles by marine endophytic fungus-Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from seaweed and evaluation of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Marine endophytes are the most untapped group of microorganisms having enormous applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetra id="spar0060">Marine endophytes are the most untapped group of microorganisms having enormous applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the present study, we have optimized a method for biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Cladosporium cladosporioides, an endophytic fungus of the seaweed, Sargassumwightii. The identity of the fungus was established by the 18 s rRNA and ITS sequence. The AuNPs synthesized using C. cladosporioides were characterized by UV–vis spectrophotometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering, Atomic force microscopy, and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic studies. They were tested for free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and FRAP assay) and antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic microorganisms. The AuNps were within 100 nm as confirmed by the above methods. An attempt was made to understand the mechanism of the gold nanoparticle synthesis using the fungal extract. The present study shows the involvement of NADPH-dependent reductase and phenolic compounds in the bioreduction of the gold metal salts to nanoparticles. The AuNPs showed significant antioxidant as well as the antimicrobial activity. Hence, this study has shown a great potential for the development of a cost effective antimicrobial treatment utilizing biogenic gold nanoparticles.     

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for antimicrobial and vegetative growth applications: A novel approach for advancing efficient high quality health care to human wellbeing

The present work aims to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles via green approaches using leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus. UV–vis and FT-IR tests confirmed the existence of biomolecules, active materials, and metal oxides. The X-ray diffraction structural study exposes the ZnO nanoparticles formation with hexagonal phase structures. SEM and TEM analysis reveal surface morphologies of ZnO nanoparticles and most of them are spherical with a size range of 10 nm. ZnO nanoparticles were revealed strong antimicrobial activity against both bacterial and fungal strains. The germination of seeds and vegetative growth of Sesamum indicum has been greatly improved.     

A Model Sheet Mineral System to Study Fungal Bioweathering of Mica

The general objective of this research was to examine fungal interactions with silicate minerals within the context of their roles in bioweathering. To achieve this, we used muscovite, a phyllosilicate mineral (KAl₂[(OH)₂|AlSi₃O₁₀]), in the form of a mineral sheet model system for ease of experimental manipulation and microscopic examination. It was found that test fungal species successfully colonized and degraded the surface of muscovite sheets in both laboratory and field experiments. After colonization by the common soil fungus Aspergillus niger, a network of hyphae covered the surface of the muscovite, and mineral dissolution or degradation was clearly evidenced by a network of fungal “footprints” that reflected coverage by the mycelium. For natural soil incubations, microorganisms associated with muscovite sheet material included biofilms of fungi and bacteria on the surface, while mineral encrustation or adhesion to microbial structures was also observed. Our results show that muscovite sheet is a good model mineral system for examination of microbial colonization and degradation, and this was demonstrated using laboratory and field systems, providing more evidence for the bioweathering significance of fungal activities in the context of silicate degradation and soil formation and development. The approach is also clearly applicable to other rock and mineral-based substrates and a variety of free-living and symbiotic microbial systems.     

The fungal–mineral interface: challenges and considerations of micro-analytical developments

Over recent years, the role of fungi, especially mycorrhizal fungi, in the weathering of rock-forming minerals has been increasingly recognised. Much of our understanding of the effects of fungi on mineral weathering is based on macroscopic studies. However, the ability of fungi to translocate materials, including organic acids and siderophores, to specific areas of a mineral surface leads to significant spatial heterogeneity in the weathering process. Thus, geomycologists are confronted with unique challenges of how to comprehend and quantify such a high degree of diversity and complicated arrays of interactions. Recent advances in experimental and analytical techniques have increased our ability to probe the fungal–mineral interface at the resolution necessary to decouple significant biogeochemical processes. Modern microscopy, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, wet chemistry, and scattering techniques allow for the selective extraction of physical, chemical, and structural data at the micro- to nano-scale. These techniques offer exciting possibilities to study fungal–mineral interactions at the scale of individual hyphae. In this review, we give an overview of some of these techniques with their characteristics, advantages and limitations, and how they can be used to further our understanding of biotic mineral weathering.     

Facile Synthesis of Hybrid Nanoflowers Using Glycine and Phenylalanine and Investigation of Their Catalytic Activity

In the context of the proposed work, two different amino acids (Glycine, Phenylalanine) have interacted with copper ions in a phosphate buffer (PBS) in place of enzymes. This interaction resulted in the nucleation of copper phosphate crystals and the formation of flower-shaped amino acid-copper hybrid nanostructures (AA-hNFs), which grew through self-assembly. While Cu (II) ions in the structure of AA-hNFs were used as Fenton's agent for the catalytic activity. SEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were used to define the AA-hNFs′ characterisation. The peroxidase-like activities of AA-hNFs were investigated by UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Metal nanoparticles have peroxidase-like activity. A class of enzymes known as peroxidases is able to catalyze the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals. These radicals also take part in electron transfers with substrates, which results in color during oxidation. When cupric oxide nanoparticles are added to the peroxidase substrate while H₂O₂ is present, a blue color product with a maximum absorbance at=652 nm can result, demonstrating the catalytic activity of a peroxidase. The morphology and composition of AA-hNFs were carefully characterized and the synthesized parameters were optimized systematically. Results showed that the nanoparticles were dispersed with an average diameter of 7–9 μm and indicated a uniform flower shape. The results of the investigation are anticipated to significantly advance a number of technical and scientific sectors.     

Low‐Overpotential Electrocatalytic Water Splitting with Noble‐Metal‐Free Nanoparticles Supported in a sp3 N‐Rich Flexible COF

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline organic polymers with tunable structures. Here, a COF is prepared using building units with highly flexible tetrahedral sp³ nitrogens. This flexibility gives rise to structural changes which generate mesopores capable of confining very small (<2 nm sized) non‐noble‐metal‐based nanoparticles (NPs). This nanocomposite shows exceptional activity toward the oxygen‐evolution reaction from alkaline water with an overpotential of 258 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2. The overpotential observed in the COF‐nanoparticle system is the best in class, and is close to the current record of ≈200 mV for any noble‐metal‐free electrocatalytic water splitting system—the Fe–Co–Ni metal‐oxide‐film system. Also, it possesses outstanding kinetics (Tafel slope of 38.9 mV dec^?1) for the reaction. The COF is able to stabilize such small‐sized NP in the absence of any capping agent because of the COF–Ni(OH)₂ interactions arising from the N‐rich backbone of the COF. Density‐functional‐theory modeling of the interaction between the hexagonal Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets and the COF shows that in the most favorable configuration the Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets are sandwiched between the sp³ nitrogens of the adjacent COF layers and this can be crucial to maximizing their synergistic interactions.     

Cellulase immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in polymer nanospheres

Immobilization of cellulases on magnetic nanoparticles, especially magnetite nanoparticles, has been the main approach studied to make this enzyme, economically and industrially, more attractive. However, magnetite nanoparticles tend to agglomerate, are very reactive and easily oxidized in air, which has strong impact on their useful life. Thus, it is very important to provide proper surface coating to avoid the mentioned problems. This study aimed to investigate the immobilization of cellulase on magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in polymeric nanospheres. The support was characterized in terms of morphology, average diameter, magnetic behavior and thermal decomposition analyses. The polymer nanospheres containing encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles showed superparamagnetic behavior and intensity average diameter about 150 nm. Immobilized cellulase exhibited broader temperature stability than in the free form and great reusability capacity, 69% of the initial enzyme activity was maintained after eight cycles of use. The magnetic support showed potential for cellulase immobilization and allowed fast and easy biocatalyst recovery through a single magnet.

     

Speckled SiO2@Au Core–Shell Particles as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Probes

Silica particles of ~800 nm size were functionalized using 3-amino propyl triethoxysilane molecules on which gold particles (~20 nm size) were deposited. The resulting particles appeared to form speckled SiO₂@Au core–shell particles. The surface roughness, along with hot spots, due to nanogaps between the gold nanoparticles was responsible for the enhancement of the Raman signal of crystal violet molecules by ~3.2?×?10⁷ and by ~1.42?×?10⁸ of single-wall carbon nanotubes. It has also been observed that the electromagnetic excitation near surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of core–shell particles is more effective than off resonance SPR excitation.     

Melanin-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Affinity Towards Tyrosinase

The bacterial strain Pseudomonas sp. SSA has capacity to produce extracellular melanin that sequesters heavy metals. The brown-black melanin pigment was observed in the culture liquid and mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs were characterized using UV–visible, dynamic light scattering, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction analysis. The synthesized nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with size in the range of 14–30 nm and showed high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. These nanoparticles revealed binding affinity towards fungal and human tyrosinases with K_D 4.601 × 10^–10 and 2.816 × 10^–5 M, respectively. In addition, produced nanoparticles did not show any toxic effect towards HeLa cells up to 20 μg/mL. These nanoparticles could find application in medicine and cosmetics due to their enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial activities.     

Biogenic synthesis of floral-shaped gold nanoparticles using a novel strain,Talaromyces flavus

A biogenic route was adopted towards the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the extract of a novel strain, Talaromyces flavus. Reduction of chloroauric acid by the fungal extract resulted in the production of gold nanoparticle, which was further confirmed by the concordant results obtained from UV–visible spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Morphology and the crystal nature of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). A direct correlation was observed between nanoparticle formation and the concentration of reducing agent present in the fungal extract. The time-dependent kinetic study revealed that the bioreduction process follows an autocatalytic reaction. Crystalline, irregular, and mostly flower-shaped gold nanoparticles with a mean hydrodynamic radius of 38.54?±?10.34 nm were obtained. pH played a significant role on production of mono-dispersed nanoparticle. FTIR analysis partially deciphered the involvement of –NH₂, ?SH, and –CO groups as the probable molecules in the bio-reduction and stabilization process. Compared to the conventional methods, a time-resolved, green, and economically viable method for floral-shaped nanoparticle synthesis was developed.