Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
196069
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Title
What can be inferred from bacterium-nanoparticle interactions about the potential consequences of environmental exposure to nanoparticles?
Author(s)
Neal, AL
Year
2008
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Ecotoxicology
ISSN:
0963-9292
EISSN:
1573-3017
Volume
17
Issue
5
Page Numbers
362-371
Language
English
PMID
18454313
DOI
10.1007/s10646-008-0217-x
Web of Science Id
WOS:000256314700004
Abstract
This article collates published information regarding the in vitro antibacterial activity of both metal and carbon nanoparticles. The aims are to establish a consensus regarding modes of antibacterial activity, and to evaluate the applicability of current knowledge to prediction of likely effects of nanoparticles upon important microbial processes in environmental exposures. The majority of studies suggest that nanoparticles cause disruption to bacterial membranes, probably by production of reactive oxygen species. Contact between the nanoparticle and bacterial membrane appears necessary for this activity to be manifested. Interfacial forces such as electrostatic interactions are probably important in this respect. However, the toxicity of free metal ions originating from the nanoparticles cannot be discounted. Passage of nanoparticles across intact membranes appears to be unlikely, although accumulation within the cytoplasm, probably after membrane disruption, is often observed. To date, published studies have not been designed to mimic natural systems and therefore provide poor understanding of the likely consequences of intentional or unintentional environmental release. The limited studies currently available fail to identify any significant effects at the microbial level of nanoparticles in more complex systems.
Keywords
Nanoparticles; Bacteria; Reactive oxygen species; Surface charge; Antibacterial
Tags
•
Nanoscale Silver
External Review Draft
Final Case Study
Exposure, Uptake and Dose
Effects
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity