Impact of TiO₂ nanoparticles on growth, biofilm formation, and flavin secretion in Shewanella oneidensis

Understanding of nanoparticle impacts on critical bacteria functions allows us to gain a mechanistic understanding of toxicity and guides us toward design rules for creating safe nanomaterials. Herein, biofilm formation, a general bacteria function, and riboflavin secretion, a species-specific function, were monitored in Shewanella oneidensis, a metal reducing bacterium, following exposure to a variety of TiO₂ nanoparticle types (synthesized, Aeroxide P25, and T-Eco). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that dosed nanoparticles are in close proximity to the bacteria, but they are not internalized. Using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), it was revealed that S. oneidensis biofilm formation is slowed in the presence of nanoparticles. Though S. oneidensis grows more slowly in the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles, riboflavin secretion, a function related to the S. oneidensis metal reducing capacity, was increased significantly in a nanoparticle dose-dependent manner. Both changes in biofilm formation and riboflavin secretion are supported by changes in gene expression in nanoparticle-exposed S. oneidensis. This broad study of bacterial nanotoxicity, including use of sensitive analytical tools for functional assessments of biofilm formation, riboflavin secretion, and gene expression, has implications for total ecosystem health as the use of engineered nanoparticles grows.