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Germanium and silver resistance, accumulation, and toxicity in microorganisms.

Germanium and silver resistance, accumulation, and toxicity in microorganisms.

Plasmid (1992-01-01)

R M Slawson, M I Van Dyke, H Lee, J T Trevors

ABSTRACT

Germanium is an inert metal with no known biological function in prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms. Its toxicity is low compared to that of silver. Germanium is accumulated in certain bacterial strains by either energy-independent passive binding or an energy-dependent mechanism. Little is known about the molecular aspects of silver resistance, toxicity, and accumulation in bacterial strains. This is surprising because silver has been used as an antimicrobial agent in the medical field for centuries. It is likely that silver ions are excluded (resulting in decreased silver accumulation) from certain bacterial strains or immobilized intracellularly to prevent toxic effects from being exerted. These mechanisms of silver resistance have not been fully elucidated. This review examines the toxicity and accumulation of germanium and silver in selected microbial species. In addition, resistance mechanisms to these biologically nonessential metals is discussed, with more emphasis placed on silver-resistant bacteria due to the knowledge available.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich

Germanium, chips, 99.999% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Germanium, powder, −100 mesh, ≥99.999% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Germanium, chips, 99.999% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Germanium, powder, −100 mesh, ≥99.99% trace metals basis

Germanium, sheet, 10x10mm, thickness 0.5mm, single crystal, -111, 100%

Germanium, sheet, 10x10mm, thickness 0.6mm, single crystal, -111, 100%

Germanium, microfoil, 25x25mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 166.3μg/cm², 6 micron aluminum permanent support, 100%

Germanium, microfoil, 50x50mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 166.3μg/cm², 6 micron aluminum permanent support, 100%

Germanium, rod, 25mm, diameter 2.0mm, polycrystalline, n-type, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 25x25mm, thickness 1.0mm, single crystal, 99.999%

Germanium, rod, 25mm, diameter 5mm, polycrystalline, n-type, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 50x50mm, thickness 0.5mm, single crystal, 99.999%

Germanium, disks, 15mm, thickness 1.0mm, polycrystalline, 100%

Germanium, rod, 6mm, diameter 6.0mm, single crystal, 100%

Germanium, sheet, 50x50mm, thickness 3.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, disks, 20mm, thickness 1.0mm, single crystal, 100%

Germanium, sheet, 25x25mm, thickness 1.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 25x25mm, thickness 3.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 6x6mm, thickness 1.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 7x24mm, thickness 1.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, microfoil, 25x25mm, thinness 0.5μm, specific density 333μg/cm², 6 micron aluminum permanent support, 100%

Germanium, sheet, 10x10mm, thickness 0.25mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%

Germanium, rod, 50mm, diameter 5mm, polycrystalline, n-type, 99.999%

Germanium, sheet, 50x50mm, thickness 1.0mm, polycrystalline, 99.999%