Dioxins are the most toxic known environmental pollutants and are mainly formed by human activities. Due to their structural stability, dioxins persist for extended periods and can be transported over long distances from their emission sources. Thus, dioxins can be accumulated to considerable levels in both human and animal food chains. Along with sediments, soils are considered the most important reservoirs of dioxins. Soil microorganisms are therefore highly exposed to dioxins, leading to a range of biological responses that can impact the diversity, genetics and functional of such microbial communities. Dioxins are very hydrophobic with a high affinity to lipidic macromolecules in exposed organisms, including microbes. This review summarizes the genetic, molecular and biochemical impacts of dioxins on the lipid metabolism of soil microbial communities and especially examines modifications in the composition and architecture of cell membranes. This will provide a useful scientific benchmark for future attempts at soil ecological risk assessment, as well as in identifying potential dioxin-specific-responsive lipid biomarkers. Finally, potential uses of lipid-sequestering microorganisms as a part of biotechnological approaches to the bio-management of environmental contamination with dioxins are discussed.

In this work, Ag/Ag2O composites were synthesized by treating silver thin films manufactured by thermal evaporation method with oxygen plasma afterglow. In order to verify the antibacterial behavior of these composites, inhibition zone tests were realized for Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that individual silver nanoparticles at concentrations that can be controlled by the stoichiometric ratios of the Ag/Ag2O composites, were the main factor in the inhibition of bacteria. In addition, we found that the degree of degradation of individual silver nanoparticles absorption peaks represented a suitable criterion for determining the bacterial inhibition activity of the prepared silver oxide films. The results also showed that the sample treated at 1000 watts gave the highest rate of bacterial inhibition. This research includes an attempt to correlate the bacterial inhibition activity of silver oxide thin films with the structural and spectroscopic properties of these films.

The utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) as an alternative to conventional methods to protect surfaces from bacteria is becoming increasingly popular. Nanotechnology has shown promise in providing long-lasting protection. This study focused on synthesizing Cu/CuxO composites on copper surfaces through thermal oxidation at varying temperatures. Optical reflectivity spectra of the composites were measured, and the plasma edges were observed in the range of 526-600 nm. To test the antibacterial properties of the composites, inhibition zone tests were conducted for Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed that the largest zone of inhibition was found in the sample treated at 100ο C. Furthermore, it was discovered that thermal oxidation decreased the ability of copper nanoparticles to inhibit bacteria.