Abstract
Aerial algae are an important biological factor causing the biodegradation of building materials and facades. Conservation procedures aimed at the protection of historic and utility materials must be properly designed to avoid an increase of the degradation rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) synthetized with features contributing to the accessibility and toxicity (spherical shape, small size) on the most frequently occurring species of green algae in aerial biofilms and thus, the most common biodegradation factor–Apatococcus lobatus. Changes in the chloroplasts structure and the photosynthetic activity of the cells under AgNP exposure were made using confocal laser microscopy and digital image analysis and the estimation of growth inhibition rate was made using a biomass assay. In the majority of cases, treatment with AgNP caused a time and dose dependant degradation of chloroplasts and decrease in the photosynthetic activity of cells leading to the inhibition of aerial algae growth. However, some cases revealed an adaptive response of the cells. The response was induced by either a too low, or—after a short time—too high concentration of AgNP. Taken together, the data suggest that AgNP may be used as a biocide against aerial algal coatings; however, with a proper caution related to the concentration of the nanoparticles.
Highlights
Progress in research on the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on biological systems has led to the application of these molecules to the public and commercial use [1, 2]
Experiments on different bacterial and fungal strains [3,4,5,6,7,8] have proven that AgNP, used either solely or as a compound combined i.e. with titanium dioxide, have a biocidal effect on heterotrophic microorganisms [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]
AgNP penetrate bacterial, fungal and animal cells [18, 19] and interfere with membrane proteins, activating a biochemical cascade that leads to an inhibition of cell division [20]
Summary
Progress in research on the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on biological systems has led to the application of these molecules to the public and commercial use [1, 2]. Experiments on different bacterial and fungal strains [3,4,5,6,7,8] have proven that AgNP, used either solely or as a compound combined i.e. with titanium dioxide, have a biocidal effect on heterotrophic microorganisms [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. AgNP penetrate bacterial, fungal and animal cells [18, 19] and interfere with membrane proteins, activating a biochemical cascade that leads to an inhibition of cell division [20]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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