ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on interest to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), the most widespread used nanomaterial. AgNPs have important applications in food packaging materials, odor-resistant textiles, paints, cosmetics, medical devices, and water disinfectants, because of their potential bactericidal effects. The chapter describes main toxic effects, modes of action, and detoxification process of AgNPs in microalgae. It points out that AgNPs can sorb onto cell surface and penetrate inside the cell cytoplasm. Monoculture bacteria nanotoxicity studies revealed the mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced toxicity and the significance of nanoparticle physical properties such as particle and aggregate sizes and surface modifications in determining toxicity. Impacts of AgNPs on complex microbial communities could be modulated not only by the structure of AgNP aggregates but also by the spatial distribution of microorganisms. The main parameters affecting the nanobiointeractions are related to the nature of engineered nanomaterials, the composition of the suspending media, the solid–liquid interface present in the environmental compartments, and the interactions occurring at the nanobiointerface.
