Synthesis, characterization and kinetic study of silver and gold nanoparticles produced by the archaeon Haloferax volcanii

COSTA, MARIANA INÉS; ÁLVAREZ CERIMEDO, MARÍA SOLEDAD; URQUIZA, DOLORES; AYUDE, MARÍA ALEJANDRA; HOPPE, CRISTINA ELENA; FASCE, DIANA PATRICIA; DE CASTRO, ROSANA ESTHER; GIMÉNEZ, MARÍA INÉS

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2020

1364-5072

AimsTo evaluate the ability of the haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii to produce Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) and to characterize the obtained material in order to find relevant properties for future potential applications.Methods and ResultsNPs were produced by incubating H. volcanii cells with the corresponding metal salt. In the presence of precursor salts, cultures evidenced a color change associated to the formation of metallic nanostructures with plasmonic bands located in the visible range of the spectrum. X‐ray fluorescence analysis confirmed the presence of Ag and Au in the NPs which were spherical, with average sizes of 25 nmol l‐1 (Ag) and 10 nmol l‐1 (Au), as determined by electronic microscopy. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy indicated that both types of NPs showed a stable protein capping. Ag NPs evidenced antibacterial activity and Au NPs improved the specificity of PCR reactions. Au and Ag NPs were able to reduce 4‐nitrophenol when incubated with NaBH4.ConclusionsH. volcanii is able to synthesize metallic NPs with interesting properties for technological applications.Significance and Impact of StudyOur data demonstrate the ability of H. volcanii to synthesize metal NPs and constitutes a solid starting point to deepen the study and explore novel applications.