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Abstract
Aim: To investigate the in vitro activity of silver NPs (AgNPs) against pathogenic microalgae of the Prototheca genus. Materials & methods: The antialgal potential of AgNPs against Prototheca species of both clinical and environmental origin was assessed from minimum inhibitory (algistatic) and algicidal concentrations. The in vitro cytotoxicity of AgNPs against bovine mammary epithelial cell line was evaluated by means of the standard MTT assay.Results: AgNPs showed a strong killing activity toward Prototheca algae, as the minimal algicidal concentration (MAC) values matched perfectly the corresponding minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for all species (MAC = MIC, 1–4 mg/l), except P. stagnora (MIC > 8 mg/l). The concentrations inhibitory to pathogenic Prototheca spp. (MIC, 1–4 mg/l) were below the concentrations at which any toxicity in epithelial cells could be observed (CC20 > 6 mg/l). Conclusion: The study emphasizes the potential of AgNPs as a new therapeutic tool for the management of Prototheca infections.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work was supported by the National Science Centre within the ‘SONATA’ funding scheme [2014/15/D/NZ7/01797]. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Ethical conduct of research
The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.