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Assessing the effects of luminescently labelled and non-labelled PET nanoparticles on environmental bacteria
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Researchers created fluorescently labeled PET nanoparticles to study how tiny plastic fragments from everyday products affect bacteria in the environment. They found that PET nanoparticles adhered to bacterial cells, altered their ability to use different carbon sources, and affected biofilm formation. The study demonstrates a new visualization technique for tracking nanoplastics in biological samples and reveals that even nanoscale plastic particles can influence microbial behavior.
Manufacturers use polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to create many everyday objects, which break down into nanoparticles when released into the environment. This fact raises questions about the effects of nanometric PET on living organisms, including bacteria. However, studies on nanoPET are rare and challenging, even if only because its detection and visualisation are difficult. We studied nanoPET toxicity on selected bacteria and tested its visualisation in biological samples using three nanoPET types: pure, labelled with upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), and labelled with Eu3+ complex compound. The resulting colloids were characterized using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and emission measurements. The results confirmed the development of a method for preparing a stable aqueous colloid of nanoPET. Toxicity tests on Bacillus, Lelliottia, and Pseudomonas strains were carried out using the AlamarBlue method, along with measurements of Glutathione S-Transferase enzyme activity. The impact of labelled and non-labelled nanoPET on bacterial carbon utilisation of different sources was also evaluated. Crystal violet and the o-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactoside assays were applied to assess changes in membrane permeability. The adhesion of nanoPET to bacterial cells was examined using atomic force microscopy, and biofilm alterations were visualised under an optical microscope. UCNPs enabled the detection of nanoPET aggregation in bacterial biofilms. PET nanoparticles had a neutral or stimulating effect on bacterial growth. Cell membrane permeability varied depending on the bacterial strain and the type of nanoPET used. The results offer valuable insight into the environmental impact of nanoPET and demonstrate the effectiveness of the new nanoplastic labelling and detection method.
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Investigation of a method for fluorescently labeling polyethylene and polypropylene nanoplastic particles for biological impact assessment research.
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Researchers created tiny particles of two common plastics, polyethylene and polypropylene, including versions aged with UV light, then tested a method to add fluorescent dye to them. The dye labeling stayed stable even after washing with solvents, offering a lab tool for future studies on how these plastic particles affect living cells or organisms.
Fluorescent plastic nanoparticles to track their interaction and fate in physiological environments
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This study developed fluorescently labeled plastic nanoparticles made from PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene that can be tracked in biological environments to study how nanoplastics are taken up and processed by living organisms. Having trackable model nanoplastics is an important tool for understanding how these particles move through tissues and food chains.
Insights into PET-Microplastics effect on pathogenic bacteria
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Researchers exposed four common disease-causing bacteria to PET microplastics and found that the bacteria responded differently depending on the species and plastic concentration, with some growing faster in the presence of plastics. Notably, bacteria exposed to higher concentrations of PET microplastics developed increased resistance to multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about how environmental plastic pollution could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance problem.
Autofluorescence of Model Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastics for Cell Interaction Studies
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Researchers produced model PET nanoplastics through mechanical fragmentation and characterized their autofluorescence properties, enabling label-free tracking of nanoplastic interactions with biological systems without the artifacts introduced by fluorescent dyes.
Exposure to PET micro- and nanoplastics induces size-dependent interactions and microbial biotransformation in a human gut model
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Researchers tested plastic particles of different sizes (from PET, a common plastic) using lab-grown gut bacteria from human stool samples. Smaller particles changed bacterial populations and their byproducts more than larger ones, and gut bacteria appeared to partially break down the smallest plastic particles into other chemical compounds.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.