Bacteria encapsulation in colloidal inorganic matrices: Is it a general method?

Zirconium oxyhydroxide nanoparticles prepared by an aqueous route were evaluated for Escherichia colt bacteria encapsulation. A low viability rate was measured 24 hours after immobilization that could be attributed to nanoparticle cytotoxicity Moreover, the presence of glycerol, a long-term cell-preserving molecule, hindered gel formation, probably due to its adsorption on the nanoparticle surface A comparison with boehmite and ferrihydrite gels previously synthesized following a similar aqueous colloidal route suggests that the generalization of this method will rely on a careful control of the nanoparticle surface reactivity and may require surface chemical modification. To cite this article: M. Amoura et al., C. R. Chimie 13 (2010). (C) 2009 Academic des sciences Published by Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved.