Ana Lucia Campana Perilla

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Gomez-Bolivar, Jamie; Merroun, Mohamed; Joudeh, Nadeem; Saragliadis, Athanasios & Røyne, Anja [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Characterization of Bimetallic Pd-Fe Nanoparticles Synthesized in Escherichia coli. ACS Applied Bio Materials (AABM). 7(12), p. 8573–8589. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.4c01354. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Biologically mediated nanoparticle (NP) synthesis offers a reliable and sustainable alternative route for metal NP production. Compared with conventional chemical and physical production methods that require hazardous materials and considerable energy expenditure, some microorganisms can reduce metal ions into NPs during standard metabolic processes. However, to be considered a feasible commercial option, the properties and inherent activity of bio-NPs still need to be significantly improved. In this work, we present an Escherichia coli-mediated synthesis method for catalytically active Pd–Fe NPs. The produced biogenic Pd–Fe NPs with varying Fe content were characterized using complementary analytical techniques to assess their size, composition, and structural properties. In addition, their catalytic performance was assessed by using standardized chemical reactions. We demonstrate that the combination of Pd with Fe leads to synergistic effects that enhance the catalytic performance of Pd NPs and make biogenic Pd–Fe NPs excellent potential substitutes for currently used catalysts. Briefly, the apparent rates for the model reaction of 4-nitrophenol reduction to 4-aminophenol catalyzed by Pd-based nanoparticles were as high as 0.1312 min–1 using bimetallic Pd–Fe NPs, which is far superior to the rates of monometallic Pd NPs counterparts. This study provides a feasible strategy for the synthesis of multimetallic Pd-based NPs using common microbial processes. It emphasizes the potential of biogenic Pd–Fe NPs as efficient and sustainable catalysts for hydrogenation reactions, offering an environmentally friendly synthesis for various applications, including wastewater treatment and the production of fine chemicals.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Saragliadis, Athanasios; Mikheenko, Pavlo & Linke, Dirk (2023). Insights into the bacterial synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Frontiers in Nanotechnology. 5. doi: 10.3389/fnano.2023.1216921. Full text in Research Archive
• Florez, Sergio Leonardo; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Noguera, Mabel Juliana; Quezada, Valentina; Fuentes, Olga & Cruz, Juan Carlos [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). CFD Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of Continuous Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles Using 2D and 3D Micromixers. Micromachines. 13(6). doi: 10.3390/mi13060970. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted basic and applied research due to their immense potential to enable applications in fields as varied as drug delivery and bioremediation. Conventional synthesis schemes led to wide particle size distributions and inhomogeneous morphologies and crystalline structures. This has been attributed to the inability to control nucleation and growth processes under the conventional conditions of bulk batch processes. Here, we attempted to address these issues by scaling down the synthesis process aided by microfluidic devices, as they provide highly controlled and stable mixing patterns. Accordingly, we proposed three micromixers with different channel configurations, namely, serpentine, triangular, and a 3D arrangement with abrupt changes in fluid direction. The micromixers were first studied in silico, aided by Comsol Multiphysics® to investigate the obtained mixing patterns, and consequently, their potential for controlled growth and the nucleation processes required to form MNPs of uniform size and crystalline structure. The devices were then manufactured using a low-cost approach based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and laser cutting. Testing the micromixers in the synthesis of MNPs revealed homogeneous morphologies and particle size distributions, and the typical crystalline structure reported previously. A life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis for the devices was conducted in comparison with conventional batch co-precipitation synthesis to investigate the potential impacts on water and energy consumption. The obtained results revealed that such consumptions are higher than those of the conventional process. However, they can be reduced by conducting the synthesis with reused micromixers, as new PMMA is not needed for their assembly prior to operation. We are certain that the proposed approach represents an advantageous alternative to co-precipitation synthesis schemes, in terms of continuous production and more homogeneous physicochemical parameters of interest such as size, morphologies, and crystalline structure. Future work should be directed towards improving the sustainability indicators of the micromixers’ manufacturing process.

• Guillen, Amaimen; Ardila, Yeferzon; Noguera, Mabel Juliana; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Bejarano, Miranda & Akle, Veronica [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Toxicity of Modified Magnetite-Based Nanocomposites Used for Wastewater Treatment and Evaluated on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model. Nanomaterials. 12(3). doi: 10.3390/nano12030489. Full text in Research Archive
• Mojarrad, Masih; Hamid, Jouan; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Dang, V.S.; Crisan, A. & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2021). Using magnetic nanoparticles to improve flux pinning in YBa2Cu3Ox films, 2021 IEEE 10th International Conference on “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties” (NAP – 2021). IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). ISSN 9781665439077. p. SNMS01-1–SNMS01-5. doi: 10.1109/NAP51885.2021.9568543. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Superconductors application can lead to significant economic benefits, especially in combination with use of liquid hydrogen, which is becoming an important part of the renewable energy economy. While many traditional superconductors cannot operate in liquid hydrogen, new materials, like high-temperature superconductors and MgB2 perfectly suit this purpose. YBa 2 Cu 3 O x is one of the most used high-temperature superconductors. It can operate even in liquid nitrogen, at the temperature of 77.3 K, but has a strong advantage of enhanced critical current density at the boiling temperature of liquid hydrogen of 20 K. A disadvantage of this material is the absence of natural c-axis pinning centers defining its critical current density. A usual way to solve this problem is the introduction of artificial pinning centers in the form of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles, however, reduce the volume of the superconductor and can lead to the formation of high-angle grain boundaries detrimental for the critical current. Here we explore an approach of depositing magnetic nanoparticles on the surface of superconducting films, which neither reduce the volume of the superconductor nor create high-angle grain boundaries. The additional pinning by these nanoparticles is studied by recording magneto-optical images of the films.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2021). Magnetic decoration of Escherichia coli loaded with Palladium nanoparticles, 2021 IEEE 10th International Conference on “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties” (NAP – 2021). IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). ISSN 9781665439077. p. NCI01-1–NCI01-5. doi: 10.1109/NAP51885.2021.9568523. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Palladium (Pd) is a scarce metal, which is able to catalyze a variety of important chemical reactions. In the bulk form, Pd is anomalous paramagnetic, but in the form of nanoparticles, it has been reported as ferromagnetic. Detecting the magnetism of Pd nanoparticles is, however, difficult due to their reduced dimension. In addition, the ferromagnetic nature is a size-dependent property and, for Pd, the strength of magnetism decreases with slight increments in size. A “green” methodology for the preparation of small Pd nanoparticles was followed in this study. It is based on the ability of bacteria to take up Pd 2+ ions from its surrounding solution and to enzymatically reduce it to metallic Pd 0 nanoparticles. The efficiency of the production can be determined by transmission electron microscopy and, as a new technique, magnetic force microscopy. Notwithstanding, the study of nanoparticles of the size of just a few nanometers with these techniques is still difficult. Here we present a methodology for the enhancement of the magnetic signal of biologically produced Pd-based nanoparticles through the decoration of Escherichia coli bacteria cross-sections with Fe nanoparticles. This methodology allows the visualization of bacteria that are loaded with magnetic nanoparticles even when conventional transmission electron microscopy has difficulties to resolve them inside the microorganisms.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Guillen, Amaimen; Rivas, Ricardo; Akle, Veronica; Cruz, Juan Carlos & Osma, Johann (2021). Functionalization and Evaluation of Inorganic Adsorbents for the Removal of Cadmium in Wastewater. Molecules. ISSN 1431-5157. 26(14). doi: 10.3390/molecules26144150. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Joudeh, Nadeem; Høyer, Henrik; Røyne, Anja; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2020). Probing van der Waals and magnetic forces in bacteria with magnetic nanoparticles, 2020 IEEE 10th International Conference on “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties” (NAP – 2020). IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). ISSN 9781728185064. p. 01NSSA03-1–01NSSA03-5. doi: 10.1109/NAP51477.2020.9309722. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bioinspired metal-based nanoparticles have potential uses in many applications, but before a possible commercial exploitation, it is important to clarify the pathways of their production and deposition inside the organisms, for example in bacteria. The technique of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) could be used to evaluate the nanoparticles magnetic properties, in addition to allowing tracing their location inside or outside of bacteria, which could help to understand pathways of their biosynthesis. In this work, using MFM and analyzing the interaction of magnetic tip with nanoparticles and bacteria imbedded in resin at different heights above the surface, and comparing gradients of forces recorded by magnetic and non-magnetic tips, a condition was found, which allows to measure pure magnetic response of Pd-Fe nanoparticles. For these nanoparticles, the interplay between magnetic and van der Waals forces is described at small distances to the surface. Experimental data are compared with simulations, based on the calculation of the distribution of magnetic field around a nanoparticle, which defines magnetic force acting on the MFM tip.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Sotelo, Diana Camila; Oliva, Hector Alfonso; Aranguren, Andres; Ornelas-Soto, Nancy & Cruz, Juan Carlos [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Fabrication and Characterization of a Low-Cost Microfluidic System for the Manufacture of Alginate–Lacasse Microcapsules. Polymers. 12(5). doi: 10.3390/polym12051158. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The development of microfluidics-based systems in the recent years has provided a rapid and controlled method for the generation of monodisperse microencapsulates for multiple applications. Here, we explore the design, manufacture, and characterization of a low-cost microsystem for the encapsulation of the fungal laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43 in alginate microcapsules. Multiphysics simulations were used to overview the fluid behavior within the device and estimate the resulting capsule size. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets were used for final microsystem manufacture. Different flow rates of the continuous (Qc) and discrete (Qd) phases in the ranges of 83–293 mL/h and 1–5 mL/h, respectively, were evaluated for microcapsule fabrication. Universal Serial Bus (USB) microscope and image analysis was used to measure the final particle size. Laccase encapsulation was evaluated using spectrophotometry and with the aid of fluorescent dyes and confocal microscopy. Results showed microcapsule size was in the range of 203.13–716.00 μm and Qc was found as the dominant parameter to control capsule size. There was an effective enzyme encapsulation of 65.94% with respect to the initial laccase solution.

• Lopez-Barbosa, Natalia; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Cruz, Juan Carlos; Ornelas-Soto, Nancy & Osma, Johann (2020). Enhanced Catalytic Dye Decolorization by Microencapsulation of Laccase from P. Sanguineus CS43 in Natural and Synthetic Polymers. Polymers. 12(6). doi: 10.3390/polym12061353. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Polymeric microcapsules with the fungal laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43 may represent an attractive avenue for the removal or degradation of dyes from wastewaters. Microcapsules of alginate/chitosan (9.23 ± 0.12 µm) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) (9.25 ± 0.35 µm) were synthesized and subsequently tested for catalytic activity in the decolorization of the diazo dye Congo Red. Successful encapsulation into the materials was verified via confocal microscopy of labeled enzyme molecules. Laccase activity was measured as a function of time and the initial reaction rates were recovered for each preparation, showing up to sevenfold increase with respect to free laccase. The ability of substrates to diffuse through the pores of the microcapsules was evaluated with the aid of fluorescent dyes and confocal microscopy. pH and thermal stability were also measured for encapsulates, showing catalytic activity for pH values as low as 4 and temperatures of about 80 °C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses demonstrated the ability of PSS capsules to avoid accumulation of byproducts and, therefore, superior catalytic performance. This was corroborated by the direct observation of substrates diffusing in and out of the materials. Compared with our PSS preparation, alginate/chitosan microcapsules studied by others degrade 2.6 times more dye, albeit with a 135-fold increase in units of enzyme per mg of dye. Similarly, poly(vinyl) alcohol microcapsules from degrade 1.7 times more dye, despite an eightfold increase in units of enzyme per mg of dye. This could be potentially beneficial from the economic viewpoint as a significantly lower amount of enzyme might be needed for the same decolorization level achieved with similar encapsulated systems.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Florez, Sergio Leonardo; Noguera, Mabel Juliana; Fuentes, Olga; Ruiz, Paola & Cruz, Juan Carlos [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors for microfluidic platforms to detect pharmaceutical residues in wastewater. Biosensors. ISSN 2079-6374. 9(1). doi: 10.3390/bios9010041. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Emerging water pollutants such as pharmaceutical contaminants are suspected to induce adverse effects to human health. These molecules became worrisome due to their increasingly high concentrations in surface waters. Despite this alarming situation, available data about actual concentrations in the environment is rather scarce, as it is not commonly monitored or regulated. This is aggravated even further by the absence of portable and reliable methods for their determination in the field. A promising way to tackle these issues is the use of enzyme-based and miniaturized biosensors for their electrochemical detection. Here, we present an overview of the latest developments in amperometric microfluidic biosensors that include, modeling and multiphysics simulation, design, manufacture, testing, and operation methods. Different types of biosensors are described, highlighting those based on oxidases/peroxidases and the integration with microfluidic platforms. Finally, issues regarding the stability of the biosensors and the enzyme molecules are discussed, as well as the most relevant approaches to address these obstacles.

• Kaur, Amandeep; Funderburk, Karen; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Puente, Patricia & Ríos-Soto, Karen R. (2019). A household model of German cockroach infestations and their effects on symptoms of atopic asthma. Letters in Biomathematics. 6(2), p. 1–26. doi: 10.1080/23737867.2019.1685920. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which affects 25 million people in the United States. Improper extermination of cockroaches and their associated allergens significantly increases the occurrence of atopic asthma, a type of asthma stemming from exposure to allergens. To date, dynamical studies of cockroach infestations and their effects on atopic asthma have not been examined. Here we develop a novel mathematical model, with households as the model unit, to study the dynamics of cockroach infestations within a neighbourhood and how they impact the prevalence of asthma. The focus of this study is to evaluate the impact of extermination and removal of allergens in a household containing an individual with recurrent atopic asthma. Through analysing our model, the basic reproduction number for cockroach infestations was calculated and we were able to determine conditions under which cockroaches and asthma can be eliminated from a community containing infested houses. From the presence of a backward bifurcation, we are able to show that it is more effective to prevent infestation of cockroaches than attempting to remove them post-infestation. These conclusions could potentially assist in educating the general public about the importance of pest control and its relationship with asthma.

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• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Saragliadis, Athanasios; Merroun, Mohamed; Rachel, Reinhard; Mikheenko, Pavlo & Linke, Dirk (2025). Microbial strategies for tailored metal nanoparticle production. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Saragliadis, Athanasios; Merroun, Mohamed; Mikheenko, Pavlo & Linke, Dirk (2024). Microbial-metal interactions for biosynthesis of tailored metal nanoparticles. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Merroun, Mohamed; Gomez-Bolivar, Jamie; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2023). Bacterial synthesis of Palladium nanoparticles. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Merroun, Mohamed; Gomez-Bolivar, Jamie; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2023). Bacterial synthesis of Palladium nanoparticles. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Merroun, Mohamed; Gomez-Bolivar, Jamie; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2023). Biosynthesis and characterization of Palladium-based nanoparticles produced by Escherichia coli. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Merroun, Mohamed; Gomez-Bolivar, Jamie; Røyne, Anja & Linke, Dirk [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Biosynthesis and characterization of Palladium-Based Nanoparticles using Escherichia coli. Full text in Research Archive
• Mojarrad, Masih; Hamid, Jouan; Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Dang, V.S.; Crisan, A. & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2021). Using magnetic nanoparticles to improve flux pinning in YBa2Cu3Ox films. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Joudeh, Nadeem; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2021). Magnetic decoration of Escherichia coli loaded with Palladium nanoparticles. Full text in Research Archive
• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campaña; Joudeh, Nadeem; Høyer, Henrik; Røyne, Anja; Linke, Dirk & Mikheenko, Pavlo (2020). Probing van der Waals and magnetic forces in bacteria with magnetic nanoparticles. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bioinspired metal-based nanoparticles have potential uses in many applications, but before a possible commercial exploitation, it is important to clarify the pathways of their production and deposition inside the organisms, for example in bacteria. The technique of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) could be used to evaluate the nanoparticles magnetic properties, in addition to allowing tracing their location inside or outside of bacteria, which could help to understand pathways of their biosynthesis. In this work, using MFM and analyzing the interaction of magnetic tip with nanoparticles and bacteria imbedded in resin at different heights above the surface, and comparing gradients of forces recorded by magnetic and non-magnetic tips, a condition was found, which allows to measure pure magnetic response of Pd-Fe nanoparticles. For these nanoparticles, the interplay between magnetic and van der Waals forces is described at small distances to the surface. Experimental data are compared with simulations, based on the calculation of the distribution of magnetic field around a nanoparticle, which defines magnetic force acting on the MFM tip.

• Perilla, Ana Lucia Campana; Linke, Dirk; Mikheenko, Pavlo & Røyne, Anja (2024). Palladium-based nanoparticles produced by Escherichia coli: Insights into synthesis and physicochemical characterization of microbial nanoparticles. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Microorganisms such as bacteria can produce a wide range of metallic nanoparticles, including the highly versatile palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Current industrial methods for NP production often require large amounts of energy, use toxic chemicals, and generate waste. Microbial processes offer a green alternative for NP production, and the possibility to engineer these processes using genetic tools. Pd NPs are invaluable tools across numerous exciting applications in medicine, engineering, electronics, and chemistry. Understanding and controlling the synthesis of Pd NPs is crucial as their magnetic and catalytic properties are strongly dependent on their size, shape, and on the presence of other metals such as iron (Fe) that could enhance their performance even further. Surprisingly, little is known about the production of Pd-Fe nanoparticles by bacteria, despite their promising uses. In this thesis, we employed various advanced techniques to characterize Pd and Pd-Fe NPs produced by Escherichia coli bacteria, uncovering valuable insights into their composition, size, localization, and catalytic activity. These results will enable the use of bacterial Pd-Fe NPs as efficient and sustainable catalysts for applications like wastewater treatment and fine chemical synthesis in the future. Additionally, our novel methodology for studying the magnetism of Pd-based NPs directly within bacterial cells opens doors for exciting future research.

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