Phosphate starvation as an antimicrobial strategy: the controllable toxicity of lanthanum oxide nanoparticles

Chem Commun (Camb). 2012 Apr 21;48(32):3869-71. doi: 10.1039/c2cc30903c. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles were utilized to scavenge phosphate from microbial growth media for the use of targeted nutrient starvation as an antimicrobial strategy. Only in phosphate poor environments a toxic effect was observed. The effect was shown on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus carnosus, Penicillium roqueforti, and Chlorella vulgaris.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / toxicity*
  • Chlorella vulgaris / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Lanthanum / chemistry*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Penicillium / drug effects
  • Phosphates / metabolism*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Oxides
  • Phosphates
  • lanthanum oxide
  • Lanthanum