Comparison of the cytotoxic responses of Escherichia coli (E. coli) AMC 198 to different fullerene suspensions (nC60)

Fullerenes are set to be produced on an industrial scale in anticipation of their wide applications. This calls for research on their environmental and health impacts. This study investigates and compares the cell toxicity of different aqueous fullerene aggregates. Popular C60 dispersal methods were used to prepare four types of nC60 aggregates. These aggregates were tested against the indicator species Escherichia coli (E. coli) AMC 198. With aggregates of around 150 nm in diameter, the THF/nC60 suspension was very toxic and gave rise to a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.54 mg L−1 in E. coli. By contrast, the Tol/nC60 suspension exhibited a cytoprotective role while the Aqu-N2/nC60 and Aqu-O2/nC60 suspensions enhanced the metabolism of E. coli. Although some toxicants, such as THF and THF-peroxide, were introduced into the THF/nC60 suspension during the dispersion, the toxicity of nC60 itself cannot be neglected.

► We compared the toxicity of four different types of nC60.
► Aqu-N2/nC60 is first addressed in all studies on nC60 aggregates.
► Toxicity effects of different nC60 to E. coli are varied from each other.
► THF/nC60 is bacterial cytotoxicity.
► Tol/nC60 and Aqu/nC60 have cytoprotection abilities.