Carbon nanotubes mitigate copper-oxide nanoparticles-induced inhibition to acidogenic metabolism of Propionibacterium acidipropionici by regulating carbon source utilization.

Abstract This study demonstrated that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) could mitigate copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs)-induced inhibition to acidogenic metabolism of propionic acid bacteria (i.e., Propionibacterium acidipropionici) by regulating carbon source utilization. CuO NPs severely inhibited the growth of P. acidipropionici, damaged its cell membrane, and down-regulated gene expressions and enzyme activities involved in acidogenic metabolism, thereby decreasing propionate production. However, although MWCNTs had a slightly negative impact on the growth and cell membrane, the gene expressions and catalytic activities were enhanced (glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism), resulting in the improved propionate production. Additionally, the gene expressions and catalytic activities of key enzymes (e.g., tpiA, pgk, PK, OTTAC, etc.) related to acidogenic metabolism were also enhanced by the co-existence of both nanomaterials, thereby promoting propionate production towards P. acidipropionici. This work demonstrated that the presence of MWCNTs could affect the inhibition of CuO NPs to fermentation processes via regulating carbon source utilization.