As uses of nanotechnology continue to grow in the agricultural field, understanding the impact of intentional release of these nanomaterials into soil communities becomes vital for the design of effective agricultural agents with minimal environmental impact. We compare the bacterial toxicity of two morphologies (nanosheets, nanorods) of CuO nanoparticles that are being investigated for their ability promote defense against the fungal disease Fusarium in crops such as soybean (Glycine max) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). While model bacteria such as S. oneidensis MR-1, B. subtilis, and P. aeruginosa have been used separately to investigate the interactions between bacteria and technologically and environmentally relevant nanomaterials, there is little investigation into how nanomaterials would impact a bacterial community made up of two or more species. Herein, we present a co-culture of bacteria and adaptations of assays used in previous work to measure viability of single bacteria species separately. We compare the toxic effect on co-cultures to their monoculture component species and investigate the mechanisms that allow for differences in response to nanoparticle exposure.

Impact of CuO nanomaterials on bacterial co-cultures

2019 Spring National Meeting

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