Emergence of nanomaterials as potential immobilization supports for whole cell biocatalysts and cell toxicity effects

Abstract

The traditional approach of fermentation by a free cell system has limitations of low productivity and product separation that need to be addressed for production enhancement and cost effectiveness. One of potential methods to solve the problems is cell immobilization. Microbial cell immobilization allows more efficient up-scaling by reducing the nonproductive growth phase, improving product yield and simplifying product separation. Furthermore, the emergence of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal-based nanomaterials with excellent functional properties provides novel supports for cell immobilization. Nanomaterials have catalytic properties that can provide specific binding site with targeted cells. However, the toxicity of nanomaterials towards cells has hampered its application as it affects the biological system of the cells, which cannot be neglected in any way. This gray area in immobilization is an important concern that needs to be addressed and understood by researchers. This review paper discusses an overview of nanomaterials used for cell immobilization with special focus on its toxicological challenges and how by understanding physicochemical properties of nanomaterials could influence the toxicity and biocompatibility of the cells.

Study on the biological effects of ZnO nanosheets on EBL cells

“…The cell biological effects of nanomaterials mainly include the transmembrane mechanism, intracellular localization and metabolism, cell viability, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Studies have shown that nanoparticles enter cells through pinocytosis ( Ehsani et al, 2022 ; Abdul Manaf et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2019 ; Reshma et al, 2017 ). This process of binding nanomaterials to carriers and receptors on the cell surface causes denaturation of the relevant protein structures and receptors, resulting in blocked nutrient acquisition and cell growth inhibition ( Lee et al, 2019 ).…”

Effect of process parameters on immobilization of recombinant Escherichia coli on pineapple peel

“…Cell immobilization involves physical or chemical fixation of cells onto or into a support, for example, adsorption of cells on a surface, cell flocculation, covalent binding of cells to a carrier, cell entrapment, and cell encapsulation (Abdul Manaf et al, 2020;Boura et al, 2022). Cell immobilization can improve cell stability, allowing for easier cell separation and reuse, and can protect the cells from environmental stresses such as changes in temperature, pH, or solvent (Eş et al, 2015;Guzik et al, 2014;Lapponi et al, 2022).…”

Optimization of the Reaction Parameters of Immobilized Escherichia coli for β‐Cyclodextrin Production

“…According to Abdul Manaf et al [3], cell immobilization is a method of attaching cells onto or inside a support via a variety of techniques, such as mechanical containment behind a barrier, adsorption on a solid support, and flocculation. Cell immobilization could protect the cells from shear forces inside the bioreactor during the synthesis of desired enzymes and products.…”