Analysis of the toxic mode of action of silver nanoparticles using stress-specific bioluminescent bacteria

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of toxic mode of silver nanoparticles on cell membrane using stress-specific biloluminescent bacteria. The cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in growth inhibition was tested with the wild-type E.coli strain, RFM443. Scientist used high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) to identify the effect of silver nanoparticles on bacteria. It was founnd that silver nanoparticles attached to the surface of the cell membrane and penerated inside the cell. A silver nanoparticles generated Ag+ ions, which were partially responsible for the biocidal effect. Scientist also evaluated the cell viability and other effects caused by the silver nanoparticles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is concluded that silver nanoparticles cause toxicity through protein/membrane and oxidative damage, but do not result in DNA damage.