Abstract
Recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain that produces phytochelatin (PC) and/or metallothionein (MT) can synthesize various metal nanoparticles (NPs) by reducing metal ions. Here we report in vivo biosynthesis of iron oxide nanocomposites (NCs) using recombinant E. coli. We designed a strategy of biosynthesizing iron oxide NCs by first internalizing chemically synthesized iron oxide NPs, followed by the reduction of added metal ions on the surface of internalized NPs by PC and/or MT in E. coli. For this, chemically synthesized Fe3O4 NPs were internalized by recombinant E. coli, and then, Au and Ag ions were added for the biosynthesis of AuFe3O4 and AgFe3O4 NCs, respectively. The NCs synthesized were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectrophotometry, and X-ray diffractometry to characterize their shape, optical property, and crystallinity. The Fe3O4 NPs in the biosynthesized NCs allowed easy purification of the biosynthesized NCs by applying a magnetic field. The AuFe3O4 NCs were used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect prostate-specific antigen protein, while AgFe3O4 NCs were utilized for the antimicrobial application with low minimum inhibitory concentration. As recombinant E. coli can uptake and reduce various NPs and metal ions, biosynthesis of a wide range of NCs as new nanomaterials will be possible for diverse applications.
Key points
• AuFe3O4 and AgFe3O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by recombinant E. coli.
• Escherichia coli synthesized different iron oxide NCs depending on the metal ions to be added.
• Biosynthesized AuFe3O4 NC was used for ELISA and AgFe3O4 NC for antimicrobial tests.
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Additional information is provided in the Supplementary Information.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. Yoojin Choi and Ms. Ji Hye Hyun for their helpful discussion.
Funding
The work was supported by the Bio and Medical Technology Development Program (Grant 2021M3A9I4022740) from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) through the National Research Foundation of Korea. This work was supported by the Engineering Research Center of Excellence Program of Korea Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP)/National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (2021R1A5A6002853); National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF); and The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) (2020R1A2C1003960). This research was supported by the Main Research Program (E0210701-01) of the Korea Food Research Institute funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea.
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J.H.J. and M.J. performed experiments. J.H.J. and T.S.S. designed the study. J.H.J., T.S.S., and S.Y.L. wrote and revised the manuscript. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.
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Jung, J.H., Cho, M., Seo, T.S. et al. Biosynthesis and applications of iron oxide nanocomposites synthesized by recombinant Escherichia coli. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 106, 1127–1137 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11779-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11779-4