Dear friend Akshay Kale

Airborne bioaerosols are known to contribute to the oxidative potential (OP) of atmospheric particles. OP is a measure of the ability of particles to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative stress and adverse health effects. Bioaerosols can contribute to OP through the release of enzymes, metals, and other compounds that can act as catalysts for ROS production.

The cell-free DTT (dithiothreitol) assay is a commonly used method for measuring OP. In this assay, DTT is added to a particle sample, and the reduction of DTT by ROS generated from the particles is measured. Higher rates of DTT oxidation indicate higher OP of the particles.

Bioaerosols can induce ROS generation through several mechanisms, including the production of enzymes such as NADPH oxidases and xanthine oxidases, which generate ROS as byproducts of their enzymatic activity. Additionally, some bioaerosols can release metals such as iron and copper, which can act as catalysts for ROS production through the Fenton reaction. Finally, some bioaerosols contain organic compounds such as quinones and catechols, which can also act as catalysts for ROS production.

Overall, bioaerosols can contribute significantly to the OP of atmospheric particles and thus play a role in the health effects associated with exposure to air pollution.

Sorry - I am not sure of the answer but I suggest you contact Prof Armelle Beaza-Squiban of the Unit of Functional and Adaptive Biology, UMR-CNRS 8251, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Responses to Xenobiotics, University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France...

regards,

MJ