Cotton Metal Oxide Nanoparticle-Treated Material Action on Microalgae of the Prototheca Genus

Prototheca spp., chlorophyll-free unicellular algae, is identified as an opportunistic pathogen in vertebrates [1]. It can cause a rare but mostly resulting in chronic infectious disease named protothecosis in both humans and animals. Widespread resistance to the available drugs, including antibiotics, antifungals and antialgals of Prototheca species was observed [2]. The nanoparticles’ ability to damage cell membranes and inhibit metabolic activities may be a promising tool to combat protothecosis [3]. Applying antimicrobial textiles may prevent or inhibit the growth of microbes or eliminate them [4]. Our study was conducted to evaluate the activity of cotton material coated with metal nanoparticles (NPs) against microalgae of the Prototheca genus. The metal oxide CuO, WO3, AgO, Fe2O3, ZnO, SiO2, CeO2 or Mg and Fe NPs were deposited using low-temperature plasma technology in a pure oxygen atmosphere on one or both sides of the cotton material. For determining the antimicrobial activity of metal oxide NPs on clinical Prototheca spp. culture, the broth microdilution method was used. Cotton AgONPs (P=200 W, t=2x2 h) and MgNPs (P=200 W, t=30 min and 2 h) coated material showed a strong killing activity towards yeasts-like microalgae Prototheca spp. Less effective against algae cells were CuONPs (P=200 W, t=2x2h) and ZnONPs (P=150 W, t=2 h). NPs such as Fe2O3 (P=150 W, t=2x2 h), SiO2 (P=150 W, t=2x2 h) and WO3 (P=200 W, t=2x2 h) possibly acted as a co factors that facilitate the growth of Prototheca spp.as they boosted the growth of cells. The results suggest that nanoparticletreated materials in the nearest future might become a promising alternative for managing microalgae infections, including those caused by Prototheca spp.