B. Kalska-Szostko

Small noncytotoxic carbon nano-onions: First covalent functionalization with biomolecules

Small carbon nano-onions (CNOs, 6-8 shells) were prepared in high yield and functionalized with carboxylic groups by chemical oxidation. After functionalization these nanostructures were soluble in aqueous solutions. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2 tetrazolium (MTS) tests showed excellent cytocompatibility of all CNOs analyzed at 30 and 300 microg mL(-1), so these carbon nanostructures can be safely used for biological applications. The first covalent functionalization of oxidized CNOs (ox-CNOs) with biomolecules, by using biotin-avidin interactions is reported here. Multilayers were prepared on a gold surface by layer-by-layer assembly and the process was monitored by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Covalent binding of molecules to the short amine-terminated organosulfur monolayers was assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using total attenuated reflactance mode (FT-IR/HATR).

Organophosphorous functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles

In this work magnetite nanoparticles covered by gold and silver shell were obtained. Analyzed particles were modified by two kinds of organophosphorous compounds: 3-phosphonopropionic acid and 16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid. Enzyme immobilization on particles modified in such a way was tested. The crystal structure of obtained nanoparticles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Possible changes on the surfaces were analyzed by the use of infrared spectroscopy. Magnetic properties were studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Gold-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles restrict growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and their derivatives (aminosilane and gold-coated) have been widely investigated in numerous medical applications, including their potential to act as antibacterial drug carriers that may penetrate into bacteria cells and biofilm mass. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent cause of infection in hospitalized patients, and significant numbers of currently isolated clinical strains are resistant to standard antibiotic therapy. Here we describe the impact of three types of SPIONs on the growth of P. aeruginosa during long-term bacterial culture. Their size, structure, and physicochemical properties were determined using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We observed significant inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth in bacterial cultures continued over 96 hours in the presence of gold-functionalized nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au). At the 48-hour time point, growth of P. aeruginosa, as assessed by the number of colonies grown from treated samples, showed the highest inhibition (decreased by 40%). These data provide strong evidence that Fe3O4@Au can dramatically reduce growth of P. aeruginosa and provide a platform for further study of the antibacterial activity of this nanomaterial.

Organophosphorous modifications of multifunctional magnetic nanowires

In the presented study, efforts have been undertaken to obtain the magnetic nanowires of multisegmental internal structure by AC and DC electrodeposition methods. The core-shell nanowires were obtained by wetting chemical deposition followed by thermal crystallization and electrodeposition. Such nanowires were tested to obtain functionalization by organophosphorous compounds and finally immobilize enzymes like trypsin. All obtained nanostructures were tested by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Thermal treatment of magnetite nanoparticles.

Summary This paper presents the results of a thermal treatment process for magnetite nanoparticles in the temperature range of 50–500 °C. The tested magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using three different methods that resulted in nanoparticles with different surface characteristics and crystallinity, which in turn, was reflected in their thermal durability. The particles were obtained by coprecipitation from Fe chlorides and decomposition of an Fe(acac)3 complex with and without a core–shell structure. Three types of ferrite nanoparticles were produced and their thermal stability properties were compared. In this study, two sets of unmodified magnetite nanoparticles were used where crystallinity was as determinant of the series. For the third type of particles, a Ag shell was added. By comparing the coated and uncoated particles, the influence of the metallic layer on the thermal stability of the nanoparticles was tested. Before and after heat treatment, the nanoparticles were examined using transmission electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Based on the obtained results, it was observed that the fabrication methods determine, to some extent, the sensitivity of the nanoparticles to external factors.

Melanin-Like Pigment Synthesis by Soil Bacillus weihenstephanensis Isolates from Northeastern Poland.

Although melanin is known for protecting living organisms from harmful physical and chemical factors, its synthesis is rarely observed among endospore-forming Bacillus cereus sensu lato. Here, for the first time, we reported that psychrotolerant Bacillus weihenstephanensis from Northeastern Poland can produce melanin-like pigment. We assessed physicochemical properties of the pigment and the mechanism of its synthesis in relation to B. weihenstephanensis genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy displayed a stable free radical signal of the pigment from environmental isolates which are consistent with the commercial melanin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and physicochemical tests indicated the phenolic character of the pigment. Several biochemical tests showed that melanin-like pigment synthesis by B. weihenstephanensis was associated with laccase activity. The presence of the gene encoding laccase was confirmed by the next generation whole genome sequencing of one B. weihenstephanensis strain. Biochemical (API 20E and 50CHB tests) and genetic (Multi-locus Sequence Typing, 16S rRNA sequencing, and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis) characterization of the isolates revealed their close relation to the psychrotrophic B. weihenstephanensis DSMZ 11821 reference strain. The ability to synthesize melanin-like pigment by soil B. weihenstephanensis isolates and their psychrotrophic character seemed to be a local adaptation to a specific niche. Detailed genetic and biochemical analyses of melanin-positive environmental B. weihenstephanensis strains shed some light on the evolution and ecological adaptation of these bacteria. Moreover, our study raised new biotechnological possibilities for the use of water-soluble melanin-like pigment naturally produced by B. weihenstephanensis as an alternative to commercial non-soluble pigment.

Stability of core-shell magnetite nanoparticles.

In the paper, we present three different types of magnetite nanoparticles which were prepared from co-percipitation of iron (II) and (III) chlorides in aqueous solution with and without SiO2 and from thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate in nonaqeous solutions. The obtained core-shell nanoparticles were tested in respect of their stability in distilled water, 10% acetic acid, 0.01 M citric acid, 0.9% NaCl and commercial white wine (12% of alcohol). Changes of the nanoparticles were examined by infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry methods. Modification of magnetic properties was measured by Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Characterization of ferrite nanoparticles for preparation of biocomposites

Ferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition Me0.5Fe2.5O4 (Me = Co, Fe, Ni or Mn) have been successfully prepared by the wet chemical method. The obtained particles have a mean diameter of 11–16 ± 2 nm and were modified to improve their magnetic properties and chemical activity. The surface of the pristine nanoparticles was functionalized afterwards with –COOH and –NH2 groups to obtain a bioactive layer. To achieve our goal, two different modification approaches were realized. In the first one, glutaraldehyde was attached to the nanoparticles as a linker. In the second one, direct bonding of such nanoparticles with a bioparticle was studied. In subsequent steps, the nanoparticles were immobilized with enzymes such as albumin, glucose oxidase, lipase and trypsin as a test bioparticles. The characterization of the nanoparticles was acheived by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The effect of the obtained biocomposites was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results show that in some cases the use of glutaraldehyde was crucial (albumin).

Determination of hyperfine fields and atomic ordering in NiMnFeGe exhibiting martensitic transformation

Abstract The hyperfine fields and atomic ordering in Ni1−xFexMnGe (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) alloys were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction measurements show that the samples with x = 0.2, 0.3 crystallized in the hexagonal Ni2In-type of structure, whereas in the sample with x = 0.1, the coexistence of two phases, Ni2In- and orthorhombic TiNiSi-type of structures, were found. The Mössbauer spectra measured with x = 0.2, 0.3 show three doublets with different values of isomer shift (IS) and quadrupole splitting (QS) related to three different local surroundings of Fe atoms in the hexagonal Ni2In-type structure. It was shown that Fe atoms in the hexagonal Ni2In-type structure of as-cast Ni1−xFexMnGe alloys are preferentially located in Ni sites and small amount of Fe is located in Mn and probably in Ge sites. The spectrum for x = 0.1 shows the doublets in the central part of spectrum and a broad sextet. The doublets originate from the Fe atoms in the paramagnetic state of hexagonal Ni2In-type structure, whereas the sextet results from the Fe atoms in orthorhombic TiNiSi-type structure.

Magnetic nanowires (Fe, Fe-Co, Fe-Ni) – magnetic moment reorientation in respect of wires composition

Abstract Magnetic nanowires of Fe, Fe-Co, and Fe-Ni alloy and layered structure were prepared by electrochemical alternating current (AC) deposition method. The morphology of the nanowires in and without the matrix was studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The wires either show strong dependence on the combination of elements deposition (alloy or layered) or chemical composition (Co or Ni). The magnetic properties of the nanostructures were determined on the basis of Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS).