Nickel nanoparticles (NPs) are used for soil remediation and wastewater treatment due to their high adsorption capacity against complex organic pollutants. However, despite the growing use of nickel NPs, their toxicological towards environmental bacteria have not been sufficiently studied. Actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus are valuable bioremediation agents degrading a range of harmful and recalcitrant chemicals. Both positive and negative effects of metal ions and NPs on the biodegradation of organic pollutants by Rhodococcus were revealed, however, the mechanisms of such interactions, in addition to direct toxic effects, remain unclear. In the present work, the influence of nickel NPs on the viability, surface topology and nanomechanical properties of Rhodococcus cells have been studied. Bacterial adaptations to high (up to 1.0 g/L) concentrations of nickel NPs during prolonged (24 and 48 h) exposure were detected using combined confocal laser scanning and atomic force microscopy. Incubation with nickel NPs resulted in a 1.25-1.5-fold increase in the relative surface area and roughness, changes in cellular charge and adhesion characteristics, as well as a 2-8-fold decrease in the Young's modulus of Rhodococcus ruber IEGM 231 cells. Presumably, the treatment of rhodococcal cells with sublethal concentrations (0.01-0.1 g/L) of nickel NPs facilitates the colonization of surfaces, which is important in the production of immobilized biocatalysts based on whole bacterial cells adsorbed on solid carriers. Based on the data obtained, cell surface functionalizing with NPs is possible to enhance adhesive and catalytic properties of bacteria suitable for environmental applications.
Keywords: Rhodococcus; actinobacteria; adhesion; atomic force microscopy; elasticity; hydrophobicity; nickel nanoparticles; zeta potential.