Graphene oxide exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial phytopathogens and fungal conidia by intertwining and membrane perturbation

Abstract

To understand the interaction mechanism between graphene oxide (GO) and typical phytopathogens, a particular investigation was conducted about the antimicrobial activity of GO against two bacterial pathogens (P. syringae and X. campestris pv. undulosa) and two fungal pathogens (F. graminearum and F. oxysporum). The results showed that GO had a powerful effect on the reproduction of all four pathogens (killed nearly 90% of the bacteria and repressed 80% macroconidia germination along with partial cell swelling and lysis at 500 μg mL(-1)). A mutual mechanism is proposed in this work that GO intertwinds the bacteria and fungal spores with a wide range of aggregated graphene oxide sheets, resulting in the local perturbation of their cell membrane and inducing the decrease of the bacterial membrane potential and the leakage of electrolytes of fungal spores. It is likely that GO interacts with the pathogens by mechanically wrapping and locally damaging the cell membrane and finally causing cell lysis, which may be one of the major toxicity actions of GO against phytopathogens. The antibacterial mode proposed in this study suggests that the GO may possess antibacterial activity against more multi-resistant bacterial and fungal phytopathogens, and provides useful information about the application of GO in resisting crop diseases.

Effect of Incubation Time, CuSO4 and Glucose Concentrations on Biosynthesis of Copper Oxide (CuO) Nanoparticles with Rectangular Shape and Antibacterial Activity: Taguchi Method Approach

“…Bacteria are divided into two major types (gram negative and gram positive) based on cell wall structure [62]. Peptidoglycan are important constitutes of this structure which can be affected by MNPs.…”

Study of photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of graphene oxide nanosheets

“…The diameter of zone of clearance around the well was measured to be 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm when 8 mg and 16 mg of GO were used, respectively (Table 1) and clearly indicates that the zone of clearance increases with increases in GO concentration. Previous studies also documented the bacterial inhibition using GO [40]. Sandeep et al [41] suggested that the nanoparticles being small in size can easily interact with the membrane surface of the cell and may perturb its cellular and molecular functions.…”

Activated Carbon, Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene: Materials and Composites for Advanced Water Purification

“…Finally, graphene materials and composites for neutralizing microorganisms function through different mechanisms, with the graphene effecting or disrupting the biological function of these species and inactivating them. The hypothesized antibacterial mechanisms of action include penetration and compromization of the bacteria membrane, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and envelopment of microorganisms [177,182,183]. Composites of silver nanoparticle decorated GO deposited onto cellulose acetate membranes have also proven effective as antibacterial agents, where inhibition of bacterial growth and prevention of biofilm formation has been observed [184].…”