Cytotoxic Effects of Particulate Matter on Cell Growth and Metabolism of Green Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Escherichia coli

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering Vol. 42; no. 9; pp. 2123 - 2129
• Main Authors: Song, Young Hoon, Heo, Hye Ryoung, Lee, Ae Sol, Kim, Chang Sup, Seo, Jeong Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2025; Springer Nature B.V; 한국화학공학회
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; E coli; Fluorescence; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Optical density; Original Article; Particulate emissions; Proteins; Synergistic effect; 화학공학; Fluorescence intensity; Ammonium; Sulfate; Particulate matter; Optical density
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-025-00457-6

The toxicity of sulfate (SO 4 −2 ) and ammonium (NH 4 + ), key components of fine dust, on living organisms was investigated using recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Escherichia coli as a bioindicator. The effects of individual and mixed particulate matter (PM) compounds, including CuSO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and NH₄Cl, were evaluated by measuring the optical density and GFP fluorescence intensity. Escherichia coli growth was inhibited by the individual compounds at specific thresholds, with CuSO₄ being most toxic at as low as 3.8 mM. Synergistic effects were observed with mixed compounds, markedly reducing growth and fluorescence even at lower concentrations. Notably, a mixture of the three at their sub-lethal individual concentrations completely halted bacterial growth after 2 h of incubation. CuSO₄ was a more potent inhibitor than (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄Cl. These findings highlighted the importance of analyzing the individual and synergistic effects of PM components.