Trending green atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)-modified lactic acid bacteria: application as a...

To address the severe health risks posed by aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in grain, this study employed polydopamine-based atom transfer radical polymerization (p-ATRP) and cytochrome C-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (c-ATRP) as cytocompatible modification techniques to coat the surface of living Lactobacillus plantarum (LAB) cells with the temperature-sensitive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm).

Two novel bioadsorbents were synthesized. The incorporation of PNIPAAm as an 'AFB₁ vacuum cleaner' layer significantly enhances LAB's adsorption efficiency and enables temperature-controlled desorption. Compared with p-ATRP, c-ATRP uses cytochrome C (from LAB's membrane protein) as a biocatalyst to replace the necessary copper catalyst in p-ATRP, eliminating the risk of copper toxicity and pollution. The exceptional AFB₁ adsorption capabilities of LAB@PNIPAAm can be precisely modeled using the Lagergren pseudo-second-order and Freundlich frameworks, with an adsorption capacity attaining 74.88 ng mL^-1. Furthermore, LAB@PNIPAAm displays unique temperature-responsive properties, achieving an adsorption efficiency of 78% at 22 °C and a temperature-controlled desorption rate of 69% upon temperature elevation to 37 °C. It is noteworthy that the c-ATRP technology also enhances the stress resistance of LAB.

These findings offer novel insights into the surface engineering of viable bacterial cells and the efficient bioremediation of multiple pollutants in complex environments. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.