Sensitivity of bacteria to diamond nanoparticles of various size differs in gram‐positive and gram‐negative cells. Issue 2 (31st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beranová, Jana; Seydlová, Gabriela; Kozak, Halyna; Benada, Oldřich; Fišer, Radovan; Artemenko, Anna; Konopásek, Ivo; Kromka, Alexander
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology letters. Volume 351:Issue 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2014-01-31
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-1097

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fml12373-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In this study, the influence of the size and surface termination of diamond nanoparticles (DNPs) on their antibacterial activity against <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> and <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> was assessed. The average size and distribution of DNPs were determined by dynamic light scattering and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The chemical composition of the DNPs studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that DNPs &gt; 5 nm and oxidized particles have a higher oxygen content. The antibacterial potential of DNPs was assessed by the viable count method. In general, <italic>E. coli</italic> exhibited a higher sensitivity to DNPs than <italic>B. subtilis</italic>. However, in the presence of all the DNPs tested, the <italic>B. subtilis</italic> colonies exhibited altered size and morphology. Antibacterial activity was influenced not only by DNP concentration but also by DNP size and form. Whereas untreated 5‐nm DNPs were the most effective against <italic>E. coli</italic>, the antibacterial activity of 18–50‐nm DNPs was higher against <italic>B. subtilis</italic>. Transmission electron microscopy showed that DNPs interact with the bacterial surface, probably affecting vital cell functions. We propose that DNPs interfere with the permeability of the bacterial cell wall and/or membrane and hinder <italic>B. subtilis</italic> colony spreading.</p> </abstract>