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Background: Pyocyanin is a blue pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Due to its unique redox properties over the last decade, it has gained more and more interest as a utile chemical. Nevertheless, it remains a rather costly reagent. It was previously shown that the production of pyocyanin can be enhanced by employing various methods. Among them are using statistical methods for planning the experiments or exposing bacterial cultures to stressors such as nanoparticles dosed in sublethal concentrations, e.g. zinc oxide nanoparticles., Results: The Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology allowed for calculating the optimal process temperature and nanoparticle concentration to intensify pyocyanin production. Low concentrations of the nanoparticles (6.06 µg/mL) and a temperature of 32℃ enhanced pyocyanin production, whereas higher concentrations of nanoparticles (275.75 µg/mL) and higher temperature stimulated biomass production and caused the abolishment of pyocyanin production. Elevated pigment production in zinc oxide nanoparticles-supplemented media was sustained in the scaled-up culture. Conducted analyses confirmed that observed stimulation of pyocyanin production is followed by higher membrane potential, altered gene expression, generation of reactive oxygen species, and accumulation of zinc in the cell's biomass., Conclusions: Pyocyanin production can be steered using ZnO nanoparticles. Elevated production of pyocyanin due to exposure to nanoparticles is followed by the number of changes in physiology of bacteria and is a result of the cellular stress. We showed that the stress response of bacteria can be optimised using statistical methods and result in producing the desired metabolite more effectively., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study presents a relatively low-cost method for modifying TiO 2 -based materials for photocatalytic bacterial inactivation. The photocatalytic inactivation of Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) and Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus epidermidis ) bacteria using modified sulphated TiO 2 was studied. The modification focused on the reduction of TiO 2 by ammonia agents and hydrogen at 400-450 °C. The results showed a high impact of sulphate species on the inactivation of E. coli . The presence of these species generated acid sites on TiO 2 , which shifted the pH of the reacted titania slurry solution to lower values, around 4.6. At such a low pH, TiO 2 was positively charged. The ammonia solution caused the removal of sulphate species from TiO 2 . On the other hand, hydrogen and ammonia molecules accelerated the removal of sulphur species from TiO 2 , as did heating it to 450 °C. Total inactivation of E. coli was obtained within 30 min of simulated solar light irradiation on TiO 2 heat-treated at 400 °C in an atmosphere of Ar or NH 3 . The S. epidermidis strain was more resistant to photocatalytic oxidation. The contact of these bacteria with the active titania surface is important, but a higher oxidation force is necessary to destroy their cell membrane walls because of their thicker cell wall than E. coli . Therefore, the ability of a photocatalyst to produce ROS (reactive oxidative species) will determine its ability to inactivate S. epidermidis . An additional advantage of the studies presented is the inactivation of bacteria after a relatively short irradiation time (30 min), which does not often happen with photocatalysts not modified with noble metals. The modification methods presented represent a robust and inexpensive alternative to photocatalytic inactivation of bacteria.

Mould fungi are serious threats to humans and animals (allergen) and might be the main cause of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. The common methods of disinfection are not highly effective against fungi due to the high resistance of fungal spores. Recently, photocatalysis has attracted significant attention towards antimicrobial action. Outstanding properties of titania photocatalysts have already been used in many areas, e.g., for building materials, air conditioner filters, and air purifiers. Here, the efficiency of photocatalytic methods to remove fungi and bacteria (risk factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 co-infection) is presented. Based on the relevant literature and own experience, there is no doubt that photocatalysis might help in the fight against microorganisms, and thus prevent the severity of COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Preparation of TiO 2 using the hydrothermal treatment in NH 4 OH solution and subsequent thermal heating at 500-700 °C in Ar was performed in order to introduce some titania surface defects. The highest amount of oxygen vacancies and Ti 3+ surface defects were observed for a sample heat-treated at 500 °C. The presence of these surface defects enhanced photocatalytic properties of titania towards the deactivation of two bacteria species, E. coli and S. epidermidis, under artificial solar lamp irradiation. Further modification of TiO 2 was targeted towards the doping of Cu species. Cu doping was realized through the impregnation of the titania surface by Cu species supplied from various copper salts in an aqueous solution and the subsequent heating at 500 °C in Ar. The following precursors were used as a source of Cu: CuSO 4 , CuNO 3 or Cu(CH 3 COO) 2 . Cu doping was performed for raw TiO 2 after a hydrothermal process with and without NH 4 OH addition. The obtained results indicate that Cu species were deposited on the titania surface defects in the case of reduced TiO 2 , but on the TiO 2 without NH 4 OH modification, Cu species were attached through the titania adsorbed hydroxyl groups. Cu doping on TiO 2 increased the absorption of light in the visible range. Rapid inactivation of E. coli within 30 min was obtained for the ammonia-reduced TiO 2 heated at 500 °C and TiO 2 doped with Cu from CuSO 4 solution. Photocatalytic deactivation of S. epidermidis was greatly enhanced through Cu doping on TiO 2 . Impregnation of TiO 2 with CuSO 4 was the most effective for inactivation of both E. coli and S. epidermidis .

Commercial titania photocatalyst—P25 was chosen for an antifungal property examination due to it exhibiting one of the highest photocatalytic activities among titania photocatalysts. Titania P25 was homogenized first (HomoP25) and then annealed at different temperatures. Additionally, HomoP25 was modified with 0.5 wt% or 2.0 wt% of platinum by a photodeposition method. The obtained samples were characterized by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoabsorption spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, photocatalytic activity was tested for methanol dehydrogenation under UV/vis irradiation. The spore-destroying effect of photocatalysts was investigated against two mold fungal species, i.e., Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. Both the mycelium growth and API ZYM (estimation of enzymatic activity) tests were applied for the assessment of antifungal effect. It was found that annealing caused a change of surface properties of the titania samples, i.e., an increase in the noncrystalline part, a growth of particles and enhanced oxygen adsorption on its surface, which resulted in an increase in both the hydrogen evolution rate and the antifungal effect. Titania samples annealed at 300−500 °C were highly active during 60-min UV/vis irradiation, inhibiting the germination of both fungal spores, whereas titania modification with platinum (0.5 and 2.0 wt%) had negligible effect, despite being highly active for hydrogen evolution. The control experiments revealed the lack of titania activity in the dark, as well as high resistance of fungi for applied UV/vis irradiation in the absence of photocatalysts. Moreover, the complete inhibition of 19 hydrolases, secreted by both tested fungi, was noted under UV/vis irradiation on the annealed P25 sample. It is proposed that titania photocatalysts of large particle sizes (>150 nm) and enriched surface with oxygen might efficiently destroy fungal structures under mild irradiation conditions and, thus, be highly promising as covering materials for daily products.

This work presents the results ofa study which concerns the influence of rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the antibacterial performance of commercial pine essential oil. A suspension of essential oil in saline solution and Escherichia coli were exposed to the rotating magnetic Afield (the frequency of electrical current supplied by a RMF generator f = 1-50 Hz; the averaged values of magnetic induction in the cross-section of the RMF generator B = 13.13 to - 19.92 mT, time of exposure t = 160 min, temperature of incubation 37 °C). The chemical composition of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) essential oil was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were α-pinene (28.58%), β-pinene (17.79%), δ-3-carene (14.17%) and limonene (11.58%). The present study indicates the exposition to the RMF, as compared to the unexposed controls causing an increase in the efficacy of antibacterial properties of pine oil. We have shown that rotating magnetic fields (RMF) at a frequency, f, between 25 Hz to and 50 Hz increased the antimicrobial efficiency of oil a concentration lower than 50%., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge amount of face masks being used up and thrown away, resulting in increased environmental pollution and infection risks. In our work, we have developed a highly efficient process of neutralizing face mask waste into a useful carbon material. Then, the prepared activated carbon was used for CO 2 adsorption studies. A series of activated carbons from face masks used as a precursor were synthesized using KOH and the activation temperature was in the range of 600-800 °C. All materials were characterized by well-developed porosity. The influence of activation temperature on the textural properties of prepared activated carbons and their adsorption abilities were investigated. The highest CO 2 adsorption was received for the M_800 carbon and it was 3.91 mmol/g at the temperature of 0 °C and the pressure of 1 bar. M_800 carbon exhibited also high selectivity of CO 2 over N 2 . Seven equilibrium isotherms were applied to the experimental data to find out the best fit (Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Toth, Unilan, Fritz-Schlunder and Radke-Prausnitz isotherms). The presented research provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method of recycling waste masks into a valuable product in the form of carbon and its potential use in the absorption of harmful CO 2 influencing the greenhouse effect., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An electromagnetic field (EMF) has been shown to have various stimulatory or inhibitory effects on microorganisms. Over the years, growing interest in this topic led to numerous discoveries suggesting the potential applicability of EMF in biotechnological processes. Among these observations are stimulative effects of this physical influence resulting in intensified biomass production, modification of metabolic activity, or pigments secretion. In this review, we present the current state of the art and underline the main findings of the application of EMF in bioprocessing and their practical meaning in process engineering using examples selected from studies on bacteria, archaea, microscopic fungi and yeasts, viruses, and microalgae. All biological data are presented concerning the classification of EMF. Furthermore, we aimed to highlight missing parts of contemporary knowledge and indicate weak spots in the approaches found in the literature., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One-hundred-nanometer films consisting of silver, copper, and gold nanocrystallites were prepared, and their antibacterial properties were quantitatively measured. The magnetron-sputtering method was used for the preparation of the metallic films over the glass plate. Single- and double-layer films were manufactured. The films were thoroughly characterized with the XRD, SEM, EDS, and XPS methods. The antibacterial activity of the samples was investigated. Gram-negative Escherichia coli , strain K12 ATCC 25922 ( E. coli ), and Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis, ATCC 49461 ( S. epidermidis ), were used in the microbial tests. The crystallite size was about 30 nm in the cases of silver and gold and a few nanometers in the case of copper. Significant oxidation of the copper films was proven. The antibacterial efficacy of the tested samples followed the order: Ag/Cu > Au/Cu > Cu. It was concluded that such metallic surfaces may be applied as contact-killing materials for a more effective fight against bacteria and viruses.

Titanium and its compounds are broadly used in both industrial and domestic products, including jet engines, missiles, prostheses, implants, pigments, cosmetics, food, and photocatalysts for environmental purification and solar energy conversion. Although titanium/titania-containing materials are usually safe for human, animals and environment, increasing concerns on their negative impacts have been postulated. Accordingly, this review covers current knowledge on the toxicity of titania and titanium, in which the behaviour, bioavailability, mechanisms of action, and environmental impacts have been discussed in detail, considering both light and dark conditions. Consequently, the following conclusions have been drawn: (i) titania photocatalysts rarely cause health and environmental problems; (ii) despite the lack of proof, the possible carcinogenicity of titania powders to humans is considered by some authorities; (iii) titanium alloys, commonly applied as implant materials, possess a relatively low health risk; (iv) titania microparticles are less toxic than nanoparticles, independent of the means of exposure; (v) excessive accumulation of titanium in the environment cannot be ignored; (vi) titanium/titania-containing products should be clearly marked with health warning labels, especially for pregnant women and young children; (vi) a key knowledge gap is the lack of comprehensive data about the environmental content and the influence of titania/titanium on biodiversity and the ecological functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.