Silver nanoparticle impact on bacterial growth: effect of pH, concentration, and organic matter

Single nanoparticle spectroscopy for real-time in vivo quantitative analysis of transport and toxicity of single nanoparticles in single embryos

Nanomaterials exhibit distinctive physicochemical properties and promise a wide range of applications from nanotechnology to nanomedicine, which raise serious concerns about their potential environmental impacts on ecosystems. Unlike any conventional chemicals, nanomaterials are highly heterogeneous, and their properties can alter over time. These unique characteristics underscore the importance of study of their properties and effects on living organisms in real time at single nanoparticle (NP) resolution. Here we report the development of single-NP plasmonic microscopy and spectroscopy (dark-field optical microscopy and spectroscopy, DFOMS) and ultrasensitive in vivo assay (cleavage-stage zebrafish embryos, critical aquatic species) to study transport and toxicity of single silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, 95.4 ± 16.0 nm) on embryonic developments. We synthesized and characterized purified and stable (non-aggregation) Ag NPs, determined their sizes and doses (number), and their transport mechanisms and effects on embryonic development in vivo in real time at single-NP resolution. We found that single Ag NPs passively entered the embryos through their chorionic pores via random Brownian diffusion and stayed inside the embryos throughout their entire development (120 h), suggesting that the embryos can bio-concentrate trace NPs from their environment. Our studies show that higher doses and larger sizes of Ag NPs cause higher toxic effects on embryonic development, demonstrating that the embryos can serve as ultrasensitive in vivo assays to screen biocompatibility and toxicity of the NPs and monitor their potential release into aquatic ecosystems.

Characterization of cerium oxide nanoparticles-part 2: nonsize measurements

Part 1 (see companion paper) of the present study discussed the application of a multimethod approach in characterizing the size of cerium oxide nanoparticles (NPs). However, other properties less routinely investigated, such as shape and morphology, structure, chemical composition, and surface properties, are likely to play an important role in determining the behavior, reactivity, and potential toxicity of these NPs. The present study describes the measurement of the aforementioned physicochemical properties of NPs (applied also to nanomaterials [NMs]) compared with micrometer particles (MPs). The authors use a wide range of techniques, including high resolution-transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrophoresis, and compare these techniques, their advantages, and their limitations, along with recommendations about how best to approach NM characterization, using an application to commercial cerium oxide NPs and MPs. Results show that both cerium oxide NPs and MPs are formed of single polyhedron or truncated polyhedron crystals. Cerium oxide NPs contain a mixture of Ce(3+) and Ce(4+) cations, whereas the MPs contain mainly Ce(4+) , which is potentially important in understanding the toxicity of cerium oxide NPs. The isoelectric point of cerium oxide NPs was approximately pH 8, which explains their propensity to aggregate in aqueous media (see companion paper).

Characterization of cerium oxide nanoparticles-part 1: size measurements

The present study gives an overview of some of the major aspects for consideration in the characterization of nanomaterials (NMs). Part 1 focuses on the measurement of particle size and size-related parameters using several analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area measurements as applied to commercially available cerium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs). Part 2 (see companion paper) considers nonsize-related characterization and analysis. The results are discussed in relation to the nature of the sample and preparation, and the analytical principles, limitations, and advantages of each technique. Accurate information on the particle size of the different fractions of a sample can be obtained by using a combination of different types of microscopy, spectroscopy, separation, and other techniques; this should inform ecotoxicological and environmental studies. The good agreement between the measured primary particle size of the NPs (~15 nm) by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller suggests that the primary particles are formed of semispherical single crystals. For MPs, all measurements agree that they are large particles in the range above the NPs (100 nm), with some difference between the measured sizes, possibly as a result of polydispersity effects. Additionally, our findings suggest that atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy prepared by centrifugation methods provide consistent data at low concentrations when dynamic light scattering fails.

The effect of hardness on the stability of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles and their uptake by Daphnia magna

The stability and uptake by Daphnia magna of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in three different hardness-adjusted synthetic waters were investigated. Negatively charged AuNPs were found to aggregate and settle in synthetic waters within 24 h. Sedimentation rates depended on initial particle concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 nM AuNPs. Hardness of the synthetic waters affected the aggregation of AuNPs and is explained by the compression of diffuse double layer of AuNPs due to the increasing ionic strength. The fractal dimension of AuNPs in the reaction-limited regime of synthetic waters averaged 2.228±0.126 implying the rigid structures of aggregates driven by the collision of small particles with the growing aggregates. Four-day old D. magna accumulated more than 90% of AuNPs in 0.04 nM AuNP suspensions without any observed mortality. Exposure to pre-aggregated AuNP for 48 h in hard water did not show any significant difference in uptake, suggesting D. magna can also ingest settled AuNP aggregates. D. magna exposed to AuNPs shed their exoskeleton whereas the control did not generate any molts over 48 h. This implies that D. magna removed AuNPs on their exoskeleton by producing molts to decrease any adverse effects of adhered AuNPs.

In vivo quantitative study of sized-dependent transport and toxicity of single silver nanoparticles using zebrafish embryos

Nanomaterials possess distinctive physicochemical properties (e.g., small sizes and high surface area-to-volume ratios) and promise a wide variety of applications, ranging from the design of high quality consumer products to effective disease diagnosis and therapy. These properties can lead to toxic effects, potentially hindering advances in nanotechnology. In this study, we have synthesized and characterized purified and stable (nonaggregation) silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, 41.6 ± 9.1 nm in average diameter) and utilized early developing (cleavage-stage) zebrafish embryos (critical aquatic and eco- species) as in vivo model organisms to probe the diffusion and toxicity of Ag NPs. We found that single Ag NPs (30-72 nm diameters) passively diffused into the embryos through chorionic pores via random Brownian motion and stayed inside the embryos throughout their entire development (120 hours-post-fertilization, hpf). Dose- and size-dependent toxic effects of the NPs on embryonic development were observed, showing the possibility of tuning biocompatibility and toxicity of the NPs. At lower concentrations of the NPs (≤0.02 nM), 75-91% of embryos developed into normal zebrafish. At the higher concentrations of NPs (≥0.20 nM), 100% of embryos became dead. At the concentrations in between (0.02-0.2 nM), embryos developed into various deformed zebrafish. Number and sizes of individual Ag NPs embedded in tissues of normal and deformed zebrafish at 120 hpf were quantitatively analyzed, showing deformed zebrafish with higher number of larger NPs than normal zebrafish and size-dependent nanotoxicity. By comparing with our previous studies of smaller Ag NPs (11.6 ± 3.5 nm), we found striking size-dependent nanotoxicity that, at the same molar concentration, the larger Ag NPs (41.6 ± 9.1 nm) are more toxic than the smaller Ag NPs (11.6 ± 3.5 nm).

Polyelectrolyte and silver nanoparticle modification of microfiltration membranes to mitigate organic and bacterial fouling

Membrane fouling remains one of the most problematic issues surrounding membrane use in water and wastewater treatment applications. Organic and biological fouling contribute to irreversible fouling and flux decline in these processes. The aim of this study was to reduce both organic and biological fouling by modifying the surface of commercially available poly(ether sulfone) (PES) membranes using the polyelectrolyte multilayer modification method with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), and silver nanoparticles (nanoAg) integrated onto the surface as stable, thin (15 nm) films. PSS increases the hydrophilicity of the membrane and increases the negative surface charge, while integration of nanoAg into the top PSS layer imparts biocidal characteristics to the modified surface. Fouling was simulated by filtering aqueous solutions of humic acid (5 and 20 mg L(-1)), a suspension of Escherichia coli (10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) mL(-1)), and a mixture of both foulants through unmodified and modified PES membranes under batch conditions. Filtration and cleaning studies confirmed that the modification significantly reduced organic and biological fouling.

Potential nanosilver impact on anaerobic digestion at moderate silver concentrations

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, nanosilver) entering the sewers and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are mostly accumulated in the sludge. In this study, we determined the impact of AgNPs on anaerobic glucose degradation, sludge digestion and methanogenic assemblages. At ambient (22 °C) and mesophilic temperatures (37 °C), there was no significant difference in biogas and methane production between the sludge treated with AgNPs at the concentrations up to 40 mg Ag/L (13.2 g silver/Kg biomass COD) and the control. In these anaerobic digestion samples, acetate and propionic acid were the only detectable volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and they were depleted in 3 days. On the other hand, more than 90% of AgNPs was removed from the liquid phase and associated with the sludge while almost no silver ions were released from AgNPs under anaerobic conditions. Quantitative PCR results indicated that Methanosaeta and Methanomicrobiales were the dominant methanogens, and the methanogenic diversity and population remained largely unchanged after nanosilver exposure and anaerobic digestion. The results suggest that AgNPs at moderate concentrations (e.g., ≤40 mg/L) have negligible impact on anaerobic digestion and methanogenic assemblages because of little to no silver ion release.

The effect of natural water conditions on the anti-bacterial performance and stability of silver nanoparticles capped with different polymers

This study evaluated the effect of natural water composition onto the bactericidal and physicochemical properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with three different polymeric compounds. All the nanoparticles behaved similarly in the water conditions tested. Compared to solutions with low organic matter content and monovalent ions, lower disinfection performances of AgNPs suspensions were obtained in the following order seawater ≤ high organic matter content water ≤ high divalent cations content synthetic water. Suspension of AgNPs in seawater and water with divalent cations (Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) formed larger AgNPs aggregates (less than 1400 nm) compared to other solutions tested (up to approximately 38 nm). The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of AgNPs was determined to quantitatively evaluate the stability of the nanoparticle suspension in different water conditions. When the concentration of dissolved organic matter was increased from 0 mg/L to 5 mg/L, the CCC increased by a factor in the range of 2.19 ± 0.25 for all AgNPs in divalent solutions, but a smaller increase occurred, in the range of 1.54 ± 0.21 fold, when monovalent solutions were used. The concentration of ionic silver released indicated that the dissolved Ag(+) (3.6-48.2 ppb) was less than 0.5% of the total mass of Ag(0) added. At all the conditions tested, the concentration of silver ions in solution had a negligible contribution to the overall anti-bacterial performance of AgNPs. This study demonstrated that the anti-bacterial performance of AgNPs at selected natural water conditions decreases in the presence of dissolved natural organic matter or divalent ions, such as humic acid and calcium carbonate. These results may be helpful in understanding the toxicity of AgNP in various natural water conditions and in explaining the risk associated with discharging AgNP in natural aquatic systems.

Aggregation kinetics and dissolution of coated silver nanoparticles

Determining the fate of manufactured nanomaterials in the environment is contingent upon understanding how stabilizing agents influence the stability of nanoparticles in aqueous systems. In this study, the aggregation and dissolution tendencies of uncoated silver nanoparticles and the same particles coated with three common coating agents, trisodium citrate, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and Tween 80 (Tween), were evaluated. Early stage aggregation kinetics of the uncoated and coated silver nanoparticles were assessed by dynamic light scattering over a range of electrolyte types (NaCl, NaNO(3), and CaCl(2)) and concentrations that span those observed in natural waters. Although particle dissolution was observed, aggregation of all particle types was still consistent with classical Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The aggregation of citrate-coated particles and SDS-coated particles were very similar to that for the uncoated particles, as the critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) of the particles in different electrolytes were all approximately the same (40 mM NaCl, 30 mM NaNO(3), and 2 mM CaCl(2)). The Tween-stabilized particles were significantly more stable than the other particles, however, and in NaNO(3) aggregation was not observed up to an electrolyte concentration of 1 M. Differences in the rate of aggregation under diffusion-limited aggregation conditions at high electrolyte concentrations for the SDS and Tween-coated particles, in combination with the moderation of their electrophoretic mobilities, suggest SDS and Tween imparted steric interactions to the particles. The dissolution of the silver nanoparticles was inhibited by the SDS and Tween coatings, but not by the citrate coating, and in chloride-containing electrolytes a secondary precipitate of AgCl was observed bridging the individual particles. These results indicate that coating agents could significant influence the fate of silver nanoparticles in aquatic systems, and in some cases these stabilizers may completely prevent particle aggregation.

Effect of cerium dioxide, titanium dioxide, silver, and gold nanoparticles on the activity of microbial communities intended in wastewater treatment

Growth in production and use of nanoparticles (NPs) will result increased concentrations of these in industrial and urban wastewaters and, consequently, in wastewater-treatment facilities. The effect of this increase on the performance of the wastewater-treatment process has not been studied systematically and including all the microbial communities involved in wastewater treatment. The present work investigates, by using respiration tests and biogas-production analysis, the inhibitory effect of four different commonly used metal oxide (CeO(2) and TiO(2)) and zero-valent metal (Ag and Au) nanoparticles on the activity of the most important microbial communities present in a modern wastewater-treatment plant. Specifically, the actions of ordinary heterotrophic organisms, ammonia oxidizing bacteria, and thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic bacteria were tested in the presence and absence of the nanoparticles. In general, CeO(2) nanoparticles caused the greatest inhibition in biogas production (nearly 100%) and a strong inhibitory action of other biomasses; Ag nanoparticles caused an intermediate inhibition in biogas production (within 33-50%) and a slight inhibition in the action of other biomasses, and Au and TiO(2) nanoparticles caused only slight or no inhibition for all tested biomasses.

Ecotoxicity test methods for engineered nanomaterials: practical experiences and recommendations from the bench

Ecotoxicology research is using many methods for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), but the collective experience from researchers has not been documented. This paper reports the practical issues for working with ENMs and suggests nano-specific modifications to protocols. The review considers generic practical issues, as well as specific issues for aquatic tests, marine grazers, soil organisms, and bioaccumulation studies. Current procedures for cleaning glassware are adequate, but electrodes are problematic. The maintenance of exposure concentration is challenging, but can be achieved with some ENMs. The need to characterize the media during experiments is identified, but rapid analytical methods are not available to do this. The use of sonication and natural/synthetic dispersants are discussed. Nano-specific biological endpoints may be developed for a tiered monitoring scheme to diagnose ENM exposure or effect. A case study of the algal growth test highlights many small deviations in current regulatory test protocols that are allowed (shaking, lighting, mixing methods), but these should be standardized for ENMs. Invertebrate (Daphnia) tests should account for mechanical toxicity of ENMs. Fish tests should consider semistatic exposure to minimize wastewater and animal husbandry. The inclusion of a benthic test is recommended for the base set of ecotoxicity tests with ENMs. The sensitivity of soil tests needs to be increased for ENMs and shortened for logistics reasons; improvements include using Caenorhabditis elegans, aquatic media, and metabolism endpoints in the plant growth tests. The existing bioaccumulation tests are conceptually flawed and require considerable modification, or a new test, to work for ENMs. Overall, most methodologies need some amendments, and recommendations are made to assist researchers.

Analysis of engineered nanomaterials in complex matrices (environment and biota): general considerations and conceptual case studies

Advances in the study of the environmental fate, transport, and ecotoxicological effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been hampered by a lack of adequate techniques for the detection and quantification of ENMs at environmentally relevant concentrations in complex media. Analysis of ENMs differs from traditional chemical analysis because both chemical and physical forms must be considered. Because ENMs are present as colloidal systems, their physicochemical properties are dependent on their surroundings. Therefore, the simple act of trying to isolate, observe, and quantify ENMs may change their physicochemical properties, making analysis extremely susceptible to artifacts. Many analytical techniques applied in materials science and other chemical/biological/physical disciplines may be applied to ENM analysis as well; however, environmental and biological studies may require that methods be adapted to work at low concentrations in complex matrices. The most pressing research needs are the development of techniques for extraction, cleanup, separation, and sample storage that introduce minimal artifacts to increase the speed, sensitivity, and specificity of analytical techniques, as well as the development of techniques that can differentiate between abundant, naturally occurring particles, and manufactured nanoparticles.

Interspecies comparisons on the uptake and toxicity of silver and cerium dioxide nanoparticles

An increasing number and quantity of manufactured nanoparticles are entering the environment as the diversity of their applications increases, and this will lead to the exposure of both humans and wildlife. However, little is known regarding their potential health effects. We compared the potential biological effects of silver (Ag; nominally 35 and 600-1,600 nm) and cerium dioxide (CeO(2;) nominally <25 nm and 1-5 µm) particles in a range of cell (human hepatocyte and intestinal and fish hepatocyte) and animal (Daphnia magna, Cyprinus carpio) models to assess possible commonalities in toxicity across taxa. A variety of analytical techniques were employed to characterize the particles and investigate their biological uptake. Silver particles were more toxic than CeO(2) in all test systems, and an equivalent mass dose of Ag nanoparticles was more toxic than larger micro-sized material. Cellular uptake of all materials tested was shown in C3A hepatocytes and Caco-2 intestinal cells, and for Ag, into the intestine, liver, gallbladder, and gills of carp exposed via the water. The commonalities in toxicity of these particle types across diverse biological systems suggest that cross-species extrapolations may be possible for metal nanoparticle test development in the future. Our findings also suggest transport of particles through the gastrointestinal barrier, which is likely to be an important uptake route when assessing particle risk.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on bacterial activity in natural waters

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may be introduced into aquatic ecosystems because of their widespread use as antimicrobial agents. However, few studies have investigated the impacts of AgNPs on natural aquatic microbial activity in an environmentally relevant context. In this study, bacterioplankton were collected from nine aquatic habitats and exposed to six concentrations of carboxy-functionalized AgNP (ViveNano, 10-nm particle size, 20% Ag w/w) over 48 h. After 1 h of exposure, bacterial production and extracellular alkaline phosphatase affinity were significantly reduced in all AgNP-exposed samples. However, across a 48-h exposure, extracellular aminopeptidase affinity was not consistently impacted by AgNPs. After 48 h, bacterial production recovered by 40 to 250% at low AgNP nominal concentrations (0.05 and 0.1 mg/L) but remained inhibited at the two highest AgNP nominal concentrations (1 and 10 mg/L). In contrast, AgNO(3) additions between 0.01 to 2 mg Ag/L fully inhibited bacterial production over the 48-h exposure. At 48-h exposure, the lowest observed effective concentrations and average median effective concentration for bacterial production ranged from 8 to 66 and 15 to 276 µg Ag/L, respectively. Thus, in natural aquatic systems, AgNP concentrations in the nanogram per liter range are unlikely to negatively impact aquatic biogeochemical cycles. Instead, exposures in the low microgram per liter range would likely be required to negatively impact natural aquatic bacterioplankton processes.

Toxicological studies on silver nanoparticles: challenges and opportunities in assessment, monitoring and imaging

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in consumer products as antibacterial agents. The increased use of Ag NP-enhanced products may lead to an increase in toxic levels of environmental silver, but regulatory control over the use or disposal of such products is lagging due to insufficient assessment on the toxicology of Ag NPs and their rate of release into the environment. In this article we discuss recent research on the transport, activity and fate of Ag NPs at the cellular and organismic level, in conjunction with traditional and recently established methods of nanoparticle characterization. We include several proposed mechanisms of cytotoxicity based on such studies, as well as new opportunities for investigating the uptake and fate of Ag NPs in living systems.

Influence of dissolved oxygen on aggregation kinetics of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles

Aggregation, an important environmental behavior of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) influences their bioavailability and cytotoxicity. The work studied the influence of dissolved oxygen (DO) or the redox potential on the stability of AgNPs in aqueous environments. This study employed time-resolved dynamic light scattering (TR-DLS) to investigate the aggregation kinetics of citrate-coated AgNPs. Our results demonstrated that when DO was present, the aggregation rates became much faster (e.g., 3-8 times) than those without DO. The hydrodynamic sizes of AgNPs had a linear growth within the initial 4-6 h and after the linear growth, the hydrodynamic sizes became random for AgNPs in the presence of DO, whereas in the absence of DO the hydrodynamic sizes grew smoothly and steadily. Furthermore, the effects of primary particles sizes (20, 40, and 80 nm) and initial concentrations (300 and 600 μg/L) of AgNPs on aggregation kinetics were also investigated.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on wastewater biofilms

The goal of this research is to understand the potential antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on biological wastewater treatment processes. It was found that original wastewater biofilms are highly tolerant to the Ag-NP treatment. With an application of 200 mg Ag/L Ag-NPs, the reduction of biofilm bacteria measured by heterotrophic plate counts was insignificant after 24 h. After the removal of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the viability of wastewater biofilms was reduced when treated under the same conditions. By contrast, when treated as planktonic pure culture, bacteria isolated from the wastewater biofilms were highly vulnerable to Ag-NPs. With a similar initial cell density, most bacteria died within 1 h with the application of 1 mg Ag/L Ag-NPs. The results obtained here indicate that EPS and microbial community interactions in the biofilms play important roles in controlling the antimicrobial effects of Ag-NPs. In addition, slow growth rates may enhance the tolerance of certain bacteria to Ag-NPs. The effects of Ag-NPs on the entire microbial community in wastewater biofilms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, PCR-DGGE. The studies showed that the microbial susceptibility to Ag-NPs is different for each microorganism. For instance, Thiotrichales is more sensitive to Ag-NPs than other biofilm bacteria.

Probing Ag nanoparticle surface oxidation in contact with (in)organics: an X-ray scattering and fluorescence yield approach

Characterizing interfacial reactions is a crucial part of understanding the behavior of nanoparticles in nature and for unlocking their functional potential. Here, an advanced nanostructure characterization approach to study the corrosion processes of silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nps), currently the most highly produced nanoparticle for nanotechnology, is presented. Corrosion of Ag-Nps under aqueous conditions, in particular in the presence of organic matter and halide species common to many natural environments, is of particular importance because the release of toxic Ag(+) from oxidation/dissolution of Ag-Nps may strongly impact ecosystems. In this context, Ag-Nps capped with polyvinolpyrrolidone (PVP) in contact with a simple proxy of organic matter in natural waters [polyacrylic acid (PAA) and Cl(-) in solution] has been investigated. A combination of synchrotron-based X-ray standing-wave fluorescence yield- and X-ray diffraction-based experiments on a sample consisting of an approximately single-particle layer of Ag-Nps deposited on a silicon substrate and coated by a thin film of PAA containing Cl revealed the formation of a stable AgCl corrosion product despite the presence of potential surface stabilizers (PVP and PAA). Diffusion and precipitation processes at the Ag-Nps-PAA interface were characterized with a high spatial resolution using this new approach.

Biocidal activity of plasma modified electrospun polysulfone mats functionalized with polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoparticles

The incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into polymeric nanofibers has attracted a great deal of attention due to the strong antimicrobial activity that the resulting fibers exhibit. However, bactericidal efficacy of AgNP-coated electrospun fibrous mats has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, polysulfone (PSf) fibers were electrospun and surface-modified using an oxygen plasma treatment, which allowed for facile irreversible deposition of cationically charged polyethyleneimine (PEI)-AgNPs via electrostatic interactions. The PSf-AgNP mats were characterized for relative silver concentration as a function of plasma treatment time using ICP-MS and changes in contact angle. Plasma treatment of 60 s was the shortest time required for maximum loss of bacteria (Escherichia coli) viability. Time-dependent bacterial cytotoxicity studies indicate that the optimized PSf-AgNP mats exhibit a high level of inactivation against both gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and gram positive bacteria, Bacillus anthracis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors

In this article, several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including: polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens). In addition to covering the technical aspects of these topics, the current commercial status and understanding of health implications of these technologies are also discussed. These applications were chosen because they do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus are more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term.

Differential effect of common ligands and molecular oxygen on antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles versus silver ions

The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is partially due to the release of Ag(+), although discerning the contribution of AgNPs vs Ag(+) is challenging due to their common co-occurrence. We discerned the toxicity of Ag(+) versus a commercially available AgNP (35.4 ± 5.1 nm, coated with amorphous carbon) by conducting antibacterial assays under anaerobic conditions that preclude Ag₀ oxidation, which is a prerequisite for Ag(+) release. These AgNPs were 20× less toxic to E. coli than Ag(+) (EC₅₀: 2.04 ± 0.07 vs 0.10 ± 0.01 mg/L), and their toxicity increased 2.3-fold after exposure to air for 0.5 h (EC₅₀: 0.87 ± 0.03 mg/L) which promoted Ag(+) release. No significant difference in Ag(+) toxicity was observed between anaerobic and aerobic conditions, which rules out oxidative stress by ROS as an important antibacterial mechanism for Ag(+). The toxicity of Ag(+) (2.94 μmol/L) was eliminated by equivalent cysteine or sulfide; the latter exceeded the solubility product equilibrium constant (K(sp)), which is conducive to silver precipitation. Equivalent chloride and phosphate concentrations also reduced Ag(+) toxicity without exceeding K(sp). Thus, some common ligands can hinder the bioavailability and mitigate the toxicity of Ag(+) at relatively low concentrations that do not induce silver precipitation. Furthermore, low concentrations of chloride (0.1 mg/L) mitigated the toxicity of Ag(+) but not that of AgNPs, suggesting that previous reports of higher AgNPs toxicity than their equivalent Ag(+) concentration might be due to the presence of common ligands that preferentially decrease the bioavailability and toxicity of Ag(+). Overall, these results show that the presence of O₂ or common ligands can differentially affect the toxicity of AgNPs vs Ag(+), and underscore the importance of water chemistry in the mode of action of AgNPs.

Incorporating exposure into aquatic toxicological studies: an imperative

The field of aquatic toxicology has been expanding rapidly in recent years. The ecotoxicological study of environmental toxicants encompasses three basic frameworks: environmental behavior/transport, bioavailability/bioaccumulation (exposure), and toxicity at different biological levels. Environmental risk assessments are then based on this knowledge to provide sound advice for environmental management and policies. In this article I will highlight the need to further understand the exposure to toxicants and its direct relationship with toxicological responses at different levels. Exposure considerations generally include the route, species, concentration and duration of exposure, among which the importance of the exposure route has been little considered. A typical aquatic toxicological study simply exposes the organisms to toxicants in the water for a certain period of time under different concentrations. This approach may not be environmentally relevant. Future studies should attempt to understand the toxicology under different exposure regimes. Incorporating exposure will allow aquatic toxicology to be placed in a context of environmental relevance and enhance our understanding of the impacts of toxicants on our living environments.

Impact of silver nanoparticles on natural marine biofilm bacteria

There has been a recent increase in the use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in a wide range of consumer products due to their highly effective antimicrobial properties. However, Ag NPs give cause for concern since their wide use makes them likely to be released into aquatic ecosystems and potentially affect natural bacterial communities. In this study marine biofilms were grown in situ in a coastal site (Singapore Harbour) and exposed in the laboratory for a further 24h to 0-2000 μg L⁻¹ of well characterised Ag NPs. Increasing concentrations of Ag NPs caused a significant decrease in biofilm volume and biomass, and Ag uptake by biofilms per unit of volume was also dependent on concentration. Terminal fragment length polymorphisms and subsequent cluster and phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of major bacterial groups in biofilms irrespective of treatment with Ag NPs. This implies that even at the highest concentrations studied these taxonomic groups were not displaced. Nevertheless, biofilm succession was impeded on Ag NP treated biofilms, affecting the relative abundance of major bacterial groups in the biofilm community, with potential longer term effects on biofilm development and function.

Engineering nanosilver as an antibacterial, biosensor and bioimaging material

The capacity of nanosilver (Ag nanoparticles) to destroy infectious micro-organisms makes it one of the most powerful antimicrobial agents, an attractive feature against "super-bugs" resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, its plasmonic properties facilitate its employment as a biosensor or bioimaging agent. Here, the interaction of nanosilver with biological systems including bacteria and mammalian cells is reviewed. The toxicity of nanosilver is discussed focusing on Ag⁺ ion release in liquid solutions. Biomedical applications of nanosilver are also presented capitalizing on its antimicrobial and plasmonic properties and summarizing its advantages, limitations and challenges. Though a lot needs to be learned about the toxicity of nanosilver, enough is known to safely use it in a spectrum of applications with minimal impact to the environment and human health.

Kinetics and mechanisms of nanosilver oxysulfidation

Among the many new engineered nanomaterials, nanosilver is one of the highest priority cases for environmental risk assessment. Recent analysis of field samples from water treatment facilities suggests that silver is converted to silver sulfide, whose very low solubility may limit the bioavailability and adverse impact of silver in the environment. The present study demonstrates that silver nanoparticles react with dissolved sulfide species (H(2)S, HS(-)) under relevant but controlled laboratory conditions to produce silver sulfide nanostructures similar to those observed in the field. The reaction is tracked by time-resolved sulfide depletion measurements to yield quantitative reaction rates and stoichiometries. The reaction requires dissolved oxygen, and it is sensitive to pH and natural organic matter. Focused-ion-beam analysis of surface films reveals an irregular coarse-grained sulfide phase that allows deep (>1 μm) conversion of silver surfaces without passivation. At high sulfide concentrations, nanosilver oxysulfidation occurs by a direct particle-fluid reaction. At low sulfide concentration, quantitative kinetic analysis suggests a mechanistic switch to an oxidative dissolution/precipitation mechanism, in which the biologically active Ag(+) ion is generated as an intermediate. The environmental transformation pathways for nanosilver will vary depending on the media-specific competing rates of oxidative dissolution and direct oxysulfidation.

Inactivation of MS2 coliphage by ferrous ion and zero-valent iron nanoparticles

This study demonstrates the inactivation of MS2 coliphage (MS2) by nano particulate zerovalent iron (nZVI) and ferrous ion (Fe[II]) in aqueous solution. For nZVI, the inactivation efficiency of MS2 under air-saturated conditions was greater than that observed under deaerated conditions, indicating that reactions associated with the oxidation of nZVI were mainly responsible for the MS2 inactivation. Under air-saturated conditions, the inactivation efficiency increased with decreasing pH for both nZVI and Fe(II), associated with the pH-dependent stability of Fe(II). Although the Fe(II) released from nZVI appeared to contribute significantly to the virucidal activity of nZVI, several findings suggest that the nZVI surfaces interacted directly with the MS2 phages, leading to their inactivation. First, the addition of 1,10-phenanthroline (a strong Fe(II)-chelating agent) failed to completely block the inactivation of MS2 by nZVI. Second, under deaerated conditions, a linear dose-log inactivation curve was still observed for nZVI. Finally, ELISA analysis indicated that nZVI caused more capsid damage than Fe(II).

Silver polymeric nanocomposites as advanced antimicrobial agents: classification, synthetic paths, applications, and perspectives

Utilization of metallic nanoparticles in various biotechnological and medical applications represents one of the most extensively investigated areas of the current materials science. These advanced applications require the appropriate chemical functionalization of the nanoparticles with organic molecules or their incorporation in suitable polymer matrices. The intensified interest in polymer nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles is due to the high antimicrobial effect of nanosilver as well as the unique characteristics of polymers which include their excellent structural uniformity, multivalency, high degree of branching, miscellaneous morphologies and architectures, and highly variable chemical composition. In this review, we explore several aspects of antimicrobial polymer silver nanocomposites, giving special focus to the critical analysis of the reported synthetic routes including their advantages, drawbacks, possible improvements, and real applicability in antibacterial and antifungal therapy. A special attention is given to "green" synthetic routes exploiting the biopolymeric matrix and to the methods allowing preparing magnetically controllable antimicrobial polymers for targeting to an active place. The controversial mechanism of the action of silver against bacteria, fungi and yeasts as well as perspectives and new applications of silver polymeric nanocomposites is also briefly discussed.

How to assess exposure of aquatic organisms to manufactured nanoparticles?

Ecological risk of chemicals is measured by the quotient of predicted no-effect concentrations and predicted exposure concentrations, which are hard to assess for manufactured nanomaterials (NMs). This paper proposes modifications to currently used models, in order to make them suitable for estimating exposure concentrations of NMs in the aquatic environment. We have evaluated the adequacy of the current guidance documents for use with NMs and conclude that nano-specific fate processes, such as sedimentation and dissolution need to be incorporated. We have reviewed the literature on sedimentation and dissolution of NMs in environmentally relevant systems. We deduce that the overall kinetics of water-sediment transport of NMs should be close to first order. The lack of data on dissolution of NMs under environmentally realistic conditions calls for a pragmatic decision on which rates to be used in modeling. We find that first order removal kinetics for dissolution seems adequate. Based on limited data from literature, probable removal rates range from 0 to 10(-4)s(-1) for sedimentation, and from 0 to 10(-5)s(-1) for dissolution. Further experimental data at environmentally relevant conditions for sedimentation and dissolution of NMs is needed.

Antifouling ultrafiltration membranes via post-fabrication grafting of biocidal nanomaterials

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes perform critical pre-treatment functions in advanced water treatment processes. In operational systems, however, biofouling decreases membrane performance and increases the frequency and cost of chemical cleaning. The present work demonstrates a novel technique for covalently or ionically tethering antimicrobial nanoparticles to the surface of UF membranes. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) encapsulated in positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) were reacted with an oxygen plasma modified polysulfone UF membrane with and without 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) present. The nucleophilic primary amines of the PEI react with the electrophilic carboxyl groups on the UF membrane surface to form electrostatic and covalent bonds. The irreversible modification process imparts significant antimicrobial activity to the membrane surface. Post-synthesis functionalization methods, such as the one presented here, maximize the density of nanomaterials at the membrane surface and may provide a more efficient route for fabricating diverse array of reactive nanocomposite membranes.

Covalent binding of single-walled carbon nanotubes to polyamide membranes for antimicrobial surface properties

We propose an innovative approach to impart nanomaterial-specific properties to the surface of thin-film composite membranes. Specifically, biocidal properties were obtained by covalently binding single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to the membrane surface. The SWNTs were first modified by purification and ozonolysis to increase their sidewall functionalities, maximize cytotoxic properties, and achieve dispersion in aqueous solution. A tailored reaction protocol was developed to exploit the inherent moieties of hand-cast polyamide membrane surfaces and create covalent amide bonds with the functionalized SWNTs. The reaction is entirely aqueous-based and entails activation of the carboxylate groups of both the membrane and the nanomaterials to maximize reaction with ethylenediamine. The presence of SWNTs was verified after sonication of the membranes, confirming the strength of the bond between the SWNTs and the membrane surface. Characterization of the SWNT-functionalized surfaces demonstrated the attainment of membranes with novel properties that continued to exhibit high performance in water separation processes. The presence of surface-bound antimicrobial SWNTs was confirmed by experiments using E. coli cells that demonstrated an enhanced bacterial cytotoxicity for the SWNT-coated membranes. The SWNT membranes were observed to achieve up to 60% inactivation of bacteria attached to the membrane within 1 h of contact time. Our results suggest the potential of covalently bonded SWNTs to delay the onset of membrane biofouling during operation.

Silver bioaccumulation dynamics in a freshwater invertebrate after aqueous and dietary exposures to nanosized and ionic Ag

We compared silver (Ag) bioavailability and toxicity to a freshwater gastropod after exposure to ionic silver (Ag(+)) and to Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) capped with citrate or with humic acid. Silver form, exposure route, and capping agent influence Ag bioaccumulation dynamics in Lymnaea stagnalis. Snails efficiently accumulated Ag from all forms after either aqueous or dietary exposure. For both exposure routes, uptake rates were faster for Ag(+) than for Ag NPs. Snails efficiently assimilated Ag from Ag NPs mixed with diatoms (assimilation efficiency (AE) ranged from 49 to 58%) and from diatoms pre-exposed to Ag(+) (AE of 73%). In the diet, Ag NPs damaged digestion. Snails ate less and inefficiently processed the ingested food, which adversely impacted their growth. Loss rates of Ag were faster after waterborne exposure to Ag NPs than after exposure to dissolved Ag(+). Once Ag was taken up from diet, whether from Ag(+) or Ag NPs, Ag was lost extremely slowly. Large Ag body concentrations are thus expected in L. stagnalis after dietborne exposures, especially to citrate-capped Ag NPs. Ingestion of Ag associated with particulate materials appears as the most important vector of uptake. Nanosilver exposure from food might trigger important environmental risks.

Toxicity and internalization of CuO nanoparticles to prokaryotic alga Microcystis aeruginosa as affected by dissolved organic matter

This is the first study investigating the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) to algae in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Suwannee river fulvic acid (SRFA), a type of DOM, could significantly increase the toxicity of CuO NPs to prokaryotic alga Microcystis aeruginosa. Internalization of CuO NPs was observed for the first time in the intact algal cells using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and the cell uptake was enhanced by SRFA. A fast Fourier transformation (FFT)/inversed FFT (IFFT) process revealed that a main form of intracellular NPs was Cu(2)O, and an intracellular environment may reduce CuO into Cu(2)O. The internalization behavior alone did not seem to pose a hazard to membrane integrity as shown from the flow cytometry data. Elevated CuO nanotoxicity by SRFA was related to a combination of a lesser degree of aggregation, higher Cu(2+) release, and enhanced internalization of CuO NPs.

In vitro assessment of silver effect on porcine ovarian granulosa cells

The general objective of this in vitro study was to examine the secretory activity (insulin-like growth factor I, IGF-I) of porcine ovarian granulosa cells after Ag addition and to outline the potential intracellular mediators (cyclin B1 and caspase-3) of its effects. Ovarian granulosa cells were incubated with silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) at the doses 0.09, 0.17, 0.33, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL for 18 h and compared to the control group without metal addition. The release of IGF-I by granulosa cells was assessed by RIA and expression of cyclin B1 and caspase-3 immunocytochemistry. Our observations show that IGF-I release by granulosa cells was significantly (P<0.05) stimulated by AgNO(3) addition at the doses (0.09-1.0 mg/mL). Similarly to IGF-I the cyclin B1 and caspase-3 expression in ovarian granulosa cells was stimulated by Ag addition (0.09-1.0 mg/mL). In conclusion, the present results indicate, a direct effect of Ag on (1) secretion of growth factor IGF-I, (2) expression of markers of proliferation (cyclin B1) and apoptosis (caspase-3) of porcine ovarian granulosa cells and (3) that the effect of Ag on ovarian cell proliferation could be mediated by IGF-I and cyclin B1. Obtained data indicate the interference of Ag in the pathways of proliferation and apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells through hormonal and intracellular peptides such as are cyclin B1 and caspase-3.

Sulfidation processes of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution: impact on dissolution rate

Despite the increasing use of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in nanotechnology and their toxicity to invertebrates, the transformations and fate of Ag-NPs in the environment are poorly understood. This work focuses on the sulfidation processes of PVP-coated Ag-NPs, one of the most likely corrosion phenomena that may happen in the environment. The sulfur to Ag-NPs ratio was varied in order to control the extent of Ag-NPs transformation to silver sulfide (Ag₂S). A combination of synchrotron-based X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy shows the increasing formation of Ag₂S with an increasing sulfur to Ag-NPs ratio. TEM observations show that Ag₂S forms nanobridges between the Ag-NPs leading to chain-like structures. In addition, sulfidation strongly affects surface properties of the Ag-NPs in terms of surface charge and dissolution rate. Both may affect the reactivity, transport, and toxicity of Ag-NPs in soils. In particular, the decrease of dissolution rate as a function of sulfide exposure may strongly limit Ag-NPs toxicity since released Ag⁺ ions are known to be a major factor in the toxicity of Ag-NPs.

Phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles to Lemna minor L

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in commercial products has increased significantly in recent years. Although there has been some attempt to determine the toxic effects of AgNPs, there is little information on aquatic plants which have a vital role in ecosystems. This study reports the use of Lemna minor L. clone St to investigate the phytotoxicity of AgNPs under modified OECD test conditions. AgNPs were synthesised, characterised and subsequently presented to the L. minor. Results showed that inhibition of plant growth was evident after exposure to small (~ 20 nm) and larger (~100 nm) AgNPs at low concentrations (5 μg L⁻¹) and this effect became more acute with a longer exposure time. There was a linear dose-response relationship after 14 d exposure. Using predicted environmental concentrations for wastewaters it was found that AgNPs may pose a significant potential risk to the environment.

Modeling the primary size effects of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles on their ion release kinetics

Ion release is an important environmental behavior of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and characterization of Ag(+) release is critical for understanding the environmental fate, transport, and biological impacts of AgNPs. The ion release kinetics of AgNPs with three primary diameters (20, 40, and 80 nm) were studied by dispersing them in quarter-strength Hoagland medium at two initial concentrations (300 and 600 μg/L). Ag(+) release rates were found to depend on primary particle size and concentration, when other environmental factors (e.g., dissolved oxygen and protons) were kept constant. A kinetic model was developed to describe the Ag(+) release based on the hard sphere theory using the Arrhenius equation. The model fitted the experimental data well with correlation coefficients of 0.97-0.99, and the model usefully interpreted the dependence of ion release kinetics on the primary particle size and concentration. Moreover, the effects of environmental factors (e.g., dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and salinity) potentially can be interpreted as well. This model provides fundamental insight into the ion release kinetics of AgNPs in aqueous environments, allowing us to better understand and predict the nanotoxicity of AgNPs.

Humic acid-induced silver nanoparticle formation under environmentally relevant conditions

The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via reduction of silver ions (Ag(+)) in the presence of humic acids (HAs) under various environmentally relevant conditions is described. HAs tested originated from the Suwannee River (SUW), and included samples of three sedimentary HAs (SHAs), and five soils obtained across the state of Florida. The time required to form AgNPs varied depending upon the type and concentration of HA, as well as temperature. SUW and all three SHAs reduced Ag(+) at 22 °C. However, none of the soil HAs formed absorbance-detectable AgNPs at room temperature when allowed to react for a period of 25 days, at which time experiments were halted. The appearance of the characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AgNPs was observed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy in as few as 2-4 days at 22 °C for SHAs and SUW. An elevated temperature of 90 °C resulted in the accelerated appearance of the SPR within 90 min for SUW and all SHAs. The formation of AgNPs at 90 °C was usually complete within 3 h. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images showed that the AgNPs formed were typically spherical and had a broad size distribution. Dynamic light scattering also revealed polydisperse particle size distributions. HAs appeared to colloidally stabilize AgNPs based on lack of any significant change in the spectral characteristics over a period of two months. The results suggest the potential for direct formation of AgNPs under environmental conditions from Ag(+) sources, implying that not all AgNPs observed in natural waters today may be of anthropogenic origin.

Interaction of silver nanoparticles with an environmentally beneficial bacterium, Pseudomonas chlororaphis

This study explores the potential antimicrobial mechanisms of commercial silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the environmental bacterium, Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6. The 10nm size NPs aggregated in water, as demonstrated by atomic force microscopy. Solubility of the NPs at 10mg/L was 0.28 mg/L (pH 6) and 2.3mg/L (pH 7); release from 10mg/L bulk Ag was below detection. The NPs eliminated cell culturability at 3mg/L, whereas no effect was observed at 10mg/L bulk Ag. Zeta potential measurements revealed that the NPs were negatively charged; unlike Ag ions, their addition to the negatively charged cells did not change cell charge at pH 6, but showed a trend to reduce cell charge at pH 7. Isolated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from PcO6 was polydisperse, with negative charge that was neutralized by Ag ions, but not by the NPs. Addition of EPS eliminated Ag NP's toxicity in cells lacking EPS. Intracellular accumulation of OH was not detected in NP-treated cells; however, the use of scavengers suggested the NPs caused extracellular H(2)O(2) production. No evidence was found for loss of membrane integrity upon treatment with the NPs. Our findings indicate that growth of environmental bacteria could be impaired by Ag NPs, depending on the extent of EPS production.

Comparison of acute and chronic toxicity of silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate to Daphnia magna

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are now widely used as antibacterial products, and their potential toxicities in aquatic organisms are a matter of increasing concern. In the present study, we conducted experiments to reveal the acute and chronic toxicities of AgNP and its bioaccumulation from both aqueous and dietary sources in a model freshwater cladoceran, Daphnia magna. No mortality was observed in 48-h acute toxicity testing when the daphnids were exposed up to 500 µg Ag/L as AgNP. The AgNP accumulation reached as high as 22.9 mg Ag/g dry weight at the highest AgNP concentration tested (500 µg/L). In contrast, D. magna was extremely sensitive to free Ag ion (Ag(+) , added as AgNO(3) ), with a measured 48-h 50% lethal concentration of 2.51 µg/L. Thus, any AgNP potential acute toxicity may be caused by the release of Ag(+) into the solution. During the 21-d chronic exposure, dietborne AgNO(3) had the most significant influence on reproduction, whereas waterborne AgNP had the most significant inhibition on growth. Significant delay and decrease of reproduction in daphnids exposed to dietborne AgNO(3) occurred at a dissolved Ag concentration of 0.1 µg/L added to the algae. Significant inhibitions of growth and reproduction were also found for the AgNP exposure, with the lowest observed effective concentration of 5 µg/L and 50 µg/L, respectively. Chronic effects of AgNP were probably caused by the low food quality of algae associated with AgNP and the low depuration of ingested AgNP. Environmental risk assessments of AgNP should therefore include tests on the chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms as well as the direct and indirect effects of AgNP resulting from the release of Ag(+) into the environment.

Interactions and stability of silver nanoparticles in the aqueous phase: Influence of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic strength

The rapid development of nanotechnology and the related production and application of nanosized materials such as engineered nanoparticles (ENP) inevitably lead to the emission of these products into environmental systems. So far, little is known about the occurrence and the behaviour of ENP in environmental aquatic systems. In this contribution, the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic strength on the stability and the interactions of silver nanoparticles (n-Ag) in aqueous suspensions was investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF⁴) coupled with UV-vis detection and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). n-Ag particles were synthesized by chemical reduction of AgNO₃ with NaBH₄ in the liquid phase at different NOM concentrations. It could be observed that the destabilization effect of increasing ionic strength on n-Ag suspensions was significantly decreased in the presence of NOM, leading to a more stable n-Ag particle suspension. The results indicate that this behaviour is due to the adsorption of NOM molecules onto the surface of n-Ag particles ("coating") and the resulting steric stabilization of the particle suspension. The application of AF⁴ coupled with highly sensitive detectors turned out to be a powerful method to follow the aggregation of n-Ag particle suspensions at different physical-chemical conditions and to get meaningful information on their chemical composition and particle size distributions. The method described will also open the door to obtain reliable data on the occurrence and the behaviour of other ENP in environmental aquatic systems.

Sonochemical coating of paper by microbiocidal silver nanoparticles

Colloidal silver has gained wide acceptance as an antimicrobial agent, and various substrates coated with nanosilver such as fabrics, plastics, and metal have been shown to develop antimicrobial properties. Here, a simple method to develop coating of colloidal silver on paper using ultrasonic radiation is presented, and the coatings are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), and thermogravimetry (TGA) measurements. Depending on the variables such as precursor concentrations and ultrasonication time, uniform coatings ranging from 90 to 150 nm in thickness have been achieved. Focused ion beam (FIB) cross section imaging measurements revealed that silver nanoparticles penetrated the paper surface to a depth of more than 1 μm, resulting in highly stable coatings. The coated paper demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, suggesting its potential application as a food packing material for longer shelf life.