Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Materials and Surfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 32275

Special Issue Editors

1. Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
2. Centro de Excelencia en Inv. Biotecnológica Aplicada al Medioambiente (CIBAMA), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Interests: nanotechnology; environmental microbiology; environmental biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Av. dos Estados, 5001-Bangú, Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil
Interests: nanomaterials; biomaterials; drug delivery; nitric oxide; cytotoxicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, viral, fungal, or bacterial infections are a major concern for human health, and also for agriculture and food production. Pathogenic microorganisms can cause chronic infections and mortality as has been recently observed with COVID-19. On the other hand, for the food production, the presence of infections translates into crop damages and enormous economic losses.

Driven by the depletion of effective treatments and antibiotic or pesticide resistance due to their excessive use, research on new antimicrobials has seen explosive growth. In this regard, nanomaterials have attracted special attention because of their broad spectrum—e.g., antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral—which has resulted in significant developments in the science of the control of pathogenic microorganisms.

The key motivation behind this Special Issue on “Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials” is to collect knowledge regarding the research and development of nanomaterials that open new possibilities for effective treatment of diseases from a medical or agricultural point of view. The MDPI journal Antibiotics and this Special Issue invite you to submit review articles and original research papers that provide a broad overview of nanomaterials for the treatment of viral, fungal, or bacterial diseases in humans or in crops. Moreover, manuscripts related to nanomaterials used as an additive in textiles, medical devices, or personal protection equipment to prevent infections are also welcome.

Dr. Gonzalo Tortella
Prof. Dr. Amedea B. Seabra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • nanoparticles
  • human health
  • crop protection
  • bacterial
  • fungi
  • virus

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4344 KiB  
Article
Nanoencapsulation Boosts the Copper-Induced Defense Responses of a Susceptible Coffea arabica Cultivar against Hemileia vastatrix
by Diego G. Gomes, Karina Sanada, Joana C. Pieretti, Luciana H. Shigueoka, Gustavo H. Sera, Amedea B. Seabra and Halley C. Oliveira
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020249 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1238
Abstract
Due to the environmental risks of conventional Cu-based fungicides, Cu-loaded chitosan nanoparticles have been developed as nano-pesticides, aiming to protect plants against different diseases. In this sense, the objective was to verify the effects of chitosan nanoparticles containing Cu2+ ions on leaf [...] Read more.
Due to the environmental risks of conventional Cu-based fungicides, Cu-loaded chitosan nanoparticles have been developed as nano-pesticides, aiming to protect plants against different diseases. In this sense, the objective was to verify the effects of chitosan nanoparticles containing Cu2+ ions on leaf discs of Coffea arabica cv. IPR 100 infected with Hemileia vastatrix. The treatments were water as a control (CONT), unloaded chitosan nanoparticles (NP), chitosan nanoparticles containing Cu2+ ions (NPCu), and free Cu2+ ions (Cu). Different concentrations of NP (0.25; 0.5; 1 g L−1) and Cu2+ ions (1.25; 2.5; 5 mmol L−1) were tested. The severity of the coffee rust was 42% in the CONT treatment, 22% in NP, and 2% in NPCu and Cu. The treatments protected coffee leaves; however, NPCu stood out for initial stress reduction, decreasing Cu phytotoxicity, promoting photosynthetic activity maintenance, and increasing antioxidant responses, conferring significant protection against coffee rust. At low concentrations (1.25 mmol L−1), NPCu showed higher bioactivity than Cu. These results suggest that Cu-loaded chitosan nanoparticles can induce a more significant plant defense response to the infection of Hemileia vastatrix than conventional Cu, avoiding the toxic effects of high Cu concentrations. Thus, this nanomaterial has great potential to be used as nano-pesticides for disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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14 pages, 3040 KiB  
Article
Green Synthesis and Antimicrobial Study on Functionalized Chestnut-Shell-Extract Ag Nanoparticles
by Kai Shao, Jixiang Sun, Yamei Lin, Hongxin Zhi, Xitong Wang, Yujie Fu, Jiating Xu and Zhiguo Liu
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020201 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1551
Abstract
The chestnut shell is usually discarded as agricultural waste and the random deposition of it can cause environmental problems. In this study, monodisperse crystalline Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal approach, in which the chestnut shell extract served as both reducing [...] Read more.
The chestnut shell is usually discarded as agricultural waste and the random deposition of it can cause environmental problems. In this study, monodisperse crystalline Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal approach, in which the chestnut shell extract served as both reducing agent and stabilizer. The synthesized Ag nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The TEM, XRD and XPS results revealed that the synthesized product was spherical Ag nanoparticles with a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The antimicrobial activity test indicated that the Ag nanoparticles modified by the chestnut shell extract had an obvious inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The measured MIC and MBC of functionalized chestnut-shell-extract AgNPs against E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans is relatively low, which indicated that the present functionalized chestnut-shell-extract AgNPs are an efficient antimicrobial agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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16 pages, 2581 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Activity of Biodegradable Films Incorporated with Biologically-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and the Evaluation of Their Migration to Chicken Meat
by Meiriele da S. das Neves, Sara Scandorieiro, Giovana N. Pereira, Jhonatan M. Ribeiro, Amedea B. Seabra, Adriana P. Dias, Fabio Yamashita, Claudia B. dos R. Martinez, Renata K. T. Kobayashi and Gerson Nakazato
Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010178 - 15 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1985
Abstract
The food industry has been exploring the association of polymers with nanoparticles in packaging production, and active products are essential to increase the shelf life of food and avoid contamination. Our study developed starch-poly (adipate co-terephthalate butyl) films with silver nanoparticles produced with [...] Read more.
The food industry has been exploring the association of polymers with nanoparticles in packaging production, and active products are essential to increase the shelf life of food and avoid contamination. Our study developed starch-poly (adipate co-terephthalate butyl) films with silver nanoparticles produced with Fusarium oxysporum components (bio-AgNPs), intending to control foodborne pathogens. The bio-AgNPs showed activity against different Salmonella serotypes, including multidrug-resistant Salmonella Saint Paul and Salmonella Enteritidis, with minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 4.24 to 16.98 µg/mL. Biodegradable films with bio-AgNPs inhibited the growth of up to 106Salmonella isolates. Silver migration from the films to chicken was analyzed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results showed migration values (12.94 mg/kg and 3.79 mg/kg) above the limits allowed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (0.05 mg/kg). Thus, it is necessary to improve the technique to avoid the migration of silver to chicken meat, since these concentrations can be harmful. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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23 pages, 22282 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Activity of Selenium Nanoparticles Obtained by Plant-Mediated Synthesis
by Hugo Gerardo Lazcano-Ramírez, Jorge J. O. Garza-García, José A. Hernández-Díaz, Janet M. León-Morales, Alejandro S. Macías-Sandoval and Soledad García-Morales
Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010115 - 08 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1883
Abstract
The continuous need to satisfy world food demand has led to the search for new alternatives to combat economic losses in agriculture caused by phytopathogenic fungi. These organisms cause plant diseases, reducing their productivity and decreasing fruit quality. Among the new tools being [...] Read more.
The continuous need to satisfy world food demand has led to the search for new alternatives to combat economic losses in agriculture caused by phytopathogenic fungi. These organisms cause plant diseases, reducing their productivity and decreasing fruit quality. Among the new tools being explored is nanotechnology. Nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties could be an excellent alternative to address this problem. In this work, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were obtained using plant extracts of Amphipterygium glaucum leaves (SeNPs-AGL) and Calendula officinalis flowers (SeNPs-COF). Characterization of the SeNPs was performed and their ability as antifungal agents against two commercially relevant plant pathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, was evaluated. Assays were performed with different concentrations of SeNPs (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.7 mg/mL). It was observed that both SeNPs had antifungal activity against both plant pathogens at concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL and above. SeNPs-AGL demonstrated better antifungal activity and smaller size (around 8.0 nm) than SeNPs-COF (134.0 nm). FTIR analysis evidenced the existence of different functional groups that constitute both types of SeNPs. There are factors that have to be considered in the antimicrobial activity of SeNPs such as nanoparticle size and phytochemical composition of the plant extracts used, as these may affect their bioavailability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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20 pages, 9148 KiB  
Article
Combined Anti-Bacterial Actions of Lincomycin and Freshly Prepared Silver Nanoparticles: Overcoming the Resistance to Antibiotics and Enhancement of the Bioactivity
by Amna M. Abdul-Jabbar, Nehia N. Hussian, Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Ahmed Aljarbou, Naseem Akhtar and Riaz A. Khan
Antibiotics 2022, 11(12), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121791 - 10 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Bacterial drug resistance to antibiotics is growing globally at unprecedented levels, and strategies to overcome treatment deficiencies are continuously developing. In our approach, we utilized metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), known for their wide spread and significant anti-bacterial actions, and the high-dose regimen [...] Read more.
Bacterial drug resistance to antibiotics is growing globally at unprecedented levels, and strategies to overcome treatment deficiencies are continuously developing. In our approach, we utilized metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), known for their wide spread and significant anti-bacterial actions, and the high-dose regimen of lincosamide antibiotic, lincomycin, to demonstrate the efficacy of the combined delivery concept in combating the bacterial resistance. The anti-bacterial actions of the AgNPs and the lincomycin as single entities and as part of the combined mixture of the AgNPs–lincomycin showed improved anti-bacterial biological activity in the Bacillus cereus and Proteus mirabilis microorganisms in comparison to the AgNPs and lincomycin alone. The comparison of the anti-biofilm formation tendency, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) suggested additive effects of the AgNPs and lincomycin combination co-delivery. The AgNPs’ MIC at 100 μg/mL and MBC at 100 μg/mL for both Bacillus cereus and Proteus mirabilis, respectively, together with the AgNPs–lincomycin mixture MIC at 100 + 12.5 μg/mL for Bacillus cereus and 50 + 12.5 μg/mL for Proteus mirabilis, confirmed the efficacy of the mixture. The growth curve test showed that the AgNPs required 90 min to kill both bacterial isolates. The freshly prepared and well-characterized AgNPs, important for the antioxidant activity levels of the AgNPs material, showed radical scavenging potential that increased with the increasing concentrations. The DPPH’s best activity concentration, 100 μg/mL, which is also the best concentration exhibiting the highest anti-bacterial zone inhibition, was chosen for evaluating the combined effects of the antibiotic, lincomycin, and the AgNPs. Plausible genotoxic effects and the roles of AgNPs were observed through decreased Bla gene expressions in the Bacillus cereus and BlaCTX-M-15 gene expressions in the Proteus mirabilis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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20 pages, 2347 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity of Azithromycin Encapsulated into PLGA NPs: A Potential Strategy to Overcome Efflux Resistance
by Yasmin Abo-zeid, Amr Amer, Marwa Reda Bakkar, Boushra El-Houssieny and Wedad Sakran
Antibiotics 2022, 11(11), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11111623 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2207
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance represents a public health problem with a major negative impact on health and socioeconomic development, and is one of the biggest threats in the modern era. This requires the discovery of new approaches to control microbial infections. Nanomedicine could be one [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance represents a public health problem with a major negative impact on health and socioeconomic development, and is one of the biggest threats in the modern era. This requires the discovery of new approaches to control microbial infections. Nanomedicine could be one of the promising strategies to improve the treatment of microbial infections. Polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) were reported to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism toward chemotherapeutic agents. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies were performed to explore their ability to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism in bacteria. In the current study, azithromycin (AZI), a macrolide antibiotic, was encapsulated into a biocompatible polymer, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) using the nano-precipitation method. The effect of the drug to polymer ratio, surfactant, and pH of the aqueous medium on particle size and drug loading percentage (DL%) were investigated in order to maximize the DL% and control the size of NPs to be around 100 nm. The antibacterial activity of AZI-PLGA NPs was investigated against AZI-resistant bacteria; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), where the efflux mechanism was demonstrated to be one of the resistant mechanisms. AZI-PLGA NPs were safer than free AZI, as revealed from the cytotoxicity test, and were able to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism, as revealed by decreasing the MIC of AZI-PLGA NPs by four times than free AZI. The MIC value reduced from 256 to 64 µg/mL and from >1000 to 256 µg/mL for MRSA and E. faecalis, respectively. Therefore, encapsulation of AZI into PNPs was shown to be a promising strategy to overcome the efflux-resistant mechanism towards AZI and improve its antibacterial effect. However, future investigations are necessary to explore the effect (if any) of particle size, surface charge, and material composition of PNPs on antibacterial activity. Moreover, it is essential to ascertain the safety profiles of these PNPs, the possibility of their large-scale manufacture, and if this concept could be extended to other antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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12 pages, 10146 KiB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Pecan Nut (Carya illinoinensis) Shell Extracts and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activity
by Alberto Antonio Neira-Vielma, Héctor Iván Meléndez-Ortiz, Josué Israel García-López, Saúl Sanchez-Valdes, Mario Alberto Cruz-Hernández, Josefina Guadalupe Rodríguez-González and Sonia Noemí Ramírez-Barrón
Antibiotics 2022, 11(9), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11091150 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1775
Abstract
Nowadays, the increase in bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics has become a real threat to the human health, forcing researchers to develop new strategies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may be a viable solution to this problem. The green synthesis of AgNPs is considered a [...] Read more.
Nowadays, the increase in bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics has become a real threat to the human health, forcing researchers to develop new strategies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may be a viable solution to this problem. The green synthesis of AgNPs is considered a green, ecological and low-priced process that provides small and biocompatible nanostructures with antimicrobial activity with a potential application in medicine. In this work, pecan nut shell extracts were analyzed in order to determine their viability for the production of AgNPs. These NPs were synthesized using an extract rich in bioactive molecules, varying the reaction time and silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentration. AgNPs production was confirmed by FT-IR, UV-Vis and EDX spectroscopy, while their morphology and size were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was evaluated by the agar diffusion method against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. The results showed that it is possible to obtain nanoparticles from an extract rich in antioxidant molecules with a size between 39.9 and 98.3 nm with a semi-spherical morphology. In addition, it was shown that the reaction time and the concentration of the precursor influence the final nanoparticles size. Antimicrobial tests showed that there is greater antimicrobial inhibition against Gram-negative than Gram-positive microorganisms, obtaining inhibition zone from 0.67 to 5.67 mm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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15 pages, 3823 KiB  
Communication
Evaluation of the Abilities of Three Kinds of Copper-Based Nanoparticles to Control Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker
by Ganggang Ren, Zhenghao Ding, Xin Pan, Guohai Wei, Peiyi Wang and Liwei Liu
Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070891 - 04 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
Kiwifruit bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae reduces kiwifruit crop yield and quality, leading to economic losses. Unfortunately, few agents for its control are available. We prepared three kinds of copper-based nanoparticles and applied them to control kiwifruit bacterial canker. The [...] Read more.
Kiwifruit bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae reduces kiwifruit crop yield and quality, leading to economic losses. Unfortunately, few agents for its control are available. We prepared three kinds of copper-based nanoparticles and applied them to control kiwifruit bacterial canker. The successful synthesis of Cu(OH)2 nanowires, Cu3(PO4)2 nanosheets, and Cu4(OH)6Cl2 nanoparticles were confirmed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the three nanoparticles were 1.56 μg/mL, which exceeded that of the commercial agent thiodiazole copper (MBC > 100 μg/mL). The imaging results indicate that the nanoparticles could interact with bacterial surfaces and kill bacteria by inducing reactive oxygen species’ accumulation and disrupting cell walls. The protective activities of Cu(OH)2 nanowires and Cu3(PO4)2 nanosheets were 59.8% and 63.2%, respectively, similar to thiodiazole copper (64.4%) and better than the Cu4(OH)6Cl2 nanoparticles (40.2%). The therapeutic activity of Cu4(OH)6Cl2 nanoparticles (67.1%) bested that of Cu(OH)2 nanowires (43.9%), Cu3(PO4)2 nanosheets (56.1%), and thiodiazole copper (53.7%). Their therapeutic and protective activities for control of kiwifruit bacterial canker differed in vivo, which was related to their sizes and morphologies. This study suggests these copper-based nanoparticles as alternatives to conventional bactericides for controlling kiwifruit diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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18 pages, 3708 KiB  
Article
Magnetite Nanoparticles Functionalized with Therapeutic Agents for Enhanced ENT Antimicrobial Properties
by Mara Caciandone, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Valentina Grumezescu, Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă, Ionuț Cosmin Ghica, Bogdan Ștefan Vasile, Ovidiu Oprea, Ionela Cristina Nica, Miruna Silvia Stan, Alina Maria Holban, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ion Anghel and Alina Georgiana Anghel
Antibiotics 2022, 11(5), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11050623 - 05 May 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2232
Abstract
In the context of inefficient antibiotics, antibacterial alternatives are urgently needed to stop the increasing resistance rates in pathogens. This study reports the fabrication and characterization of four promising magnetite-based antibiotic delivery systems for ENT (ear, nose and throat) applications. Magnetite nanoparticles were [...] Read more.
In the context of inefficient antibiotics, antibacterial alternatives are urgently needed to stop the increasing resistance rates in pathogens. This study reports the fabrication and characterization of four promising magnetite-based antibiotic delivery systems for ENT (ear, nose and throat) applications. Magnetite nanoparticles were functionalized with streptomycin and neomycin and some were entrapped in polymeric spheres. The obtained nanomaterials are stable, with spherical morphology, their size ranging from ~2.8 to ~4.7 nm for antibiotic-coated magnetite nanoparticles, and from submicron sizes up to several microns for polymer-coated magnetite–antibiotic composites. Cell viability and antimicrobial tests demonstrated their biocompatibility on human diploid cells and their antibacterial effect against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) opportunistic bacteria. The presence of the polymeric coat proved an enhancement in biocompatibility and a slight reduction in the antimicrobial efficiency of the spheres. Our results support the idea that functional NPs and polymeric microsystems containing functional NPs could be tailored to achieve more biocompatibility or more antimicrobial effect, depending on the bioactive compounds they incorporate and their intended application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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15 pages, 4163 KiB  
Article
Molecular Weight Identification of Compounds Involved in the Fungal Synthesis of AgNPs: Effect on Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activity
by Edward Hermosilla, Marcela Díaz, Joelis Vera, Amedea B. Seabra, Gonzalo Tortella, Javiera Parada and Olga Rubilar
Antibiotics 2022, 11(5), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11050622 - 05 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1705
Abstract
The biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for medical, environmental, and industrial applications is considered an alternative to chemical synthesis methods. Additionally, the reducing, capping, and stabilizing molecules produced by the organisms can play a key role in the further activity of AgNPs. [...] Read more.
The biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for medical, environmental, and industrial applications is considered an alternative to chemical synthesis methods. Additionally, the reducing, capping, and stabilizing molecules produced by the organisms can play a key role in the further activity of AgNPs. In this work, we evaluated the synthesis of AgNPs by four molecular weight fractions (S1: <10 kDa, S2: 10 to 30 kDa, S3: 30 to 50 kDa, and S4: >50 kDa) of mycelia-free aqueous extract produced by the white-rot fungus Stereum hirsutum and their effect on the antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas syringae and photocatalytic decolorization of nine synthetic dyes exposed to sunlight radiation. All synthesis assay fractions showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with 403 to 421 nm peaks. TEM analysis of synthesized AgNPs showed different sizes: the whole mycelia-free extracts S0 (13.8 nm), S1 (9.06 nm), S2 (10.47 nm), S3 (22.48 nm), and S4 (16.92 nm) fractions. The results of disk diffusion assays showed an inverse relation between antimicrobial activity and the molecular weight of compounds present in the mycelia-free aqueous extract used to synthesize AgNPs. The AgNPs synthesized by S0 (14.3 mm) and S1(14.2 mm) generated the highest inhibition diameter of P. syringae growth. By contrast, in the photocatalytic assays, the AgNPs synthesized by the S2 fraction showed the highest discoloration in all the dyes tested, reaching 100% of the discoloration of basic dyes after 2 h of sunlight exposure. The maximum discoloration observed in reactive and acid dyes was 53.2% and 65.3%, respectively. This differentiation in the antimicrobial and photocatalytic activity of AgNPs could be attributed to the capping effect of the molecules present in the extract fractions. Therefore, the molecular separation of synthesis extract enables the specific activities of the AgNPs to be enhanced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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Review

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31 pages, 7462 KiB  
Review
Nanomaterials-Based Wound Dressing for Advanced Management of Infected Wound
by Qian Pang, Zilian Jiang, Kaihao Wu, Ruixia Hou and Yabin Zhu
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020351 - 08 Feb 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3267
Abstract
The effective prevention and treatment of bacterial infections is imperative to wound repair and the improvement of patient outcomes. In recent years, nanomaterials have been extensively applied in infection control and wound healing due to their special physiochemical and biological properties. Incorporating antibacterial [...] Read more.
The effective prevention and treatment of bacterial infections is imperative to wound repair and the improvement of patient outcomes. In recent years, nanomaterials have been extensively applied in infection control and wound healing due to their special physiochemical and biological properties. Incorporating antibacterial nanomaterials into wound dressing has been associated with improved biosafety and enhanced treatment outcomes compared to naked nanomaterials. In this review, we discuss progress in the application of nanomaterial-based wound dressings for advanced management of infected wounds. Focus is given to antibacterial therapy as well as the all-in-one detection and treatment of bacterial infections. Notably, we highlight progress in the use of nanoparticles with intrinsic antibacterial performances, such as metals and metal oxide nanoparticles that are capable of killing bacteria and reducing the drug-resistance of bacteria through multiple antimicrobial mechanisms. In addition, we discuss nanomaterials that have been proven to be ideal drug carriers for the delivery and release of antimicrobials either in passive or in stimuli-responsive manners. Focus is given to nanomaterials with the ability to kill bacteria based on the photo-triggered heat (photothermal therapy) or ROS (photodynamic therapy), due to their unparalleled advantages in infection control. Moreover, we highlight examples of intelligent nanomaterial-based wound dressings that can detect bacterial infections in-situ while providing timely antibacterial therapy for enhanced management of infected wounds. Finally, we highlight challenges associated with the current nanomaterial-based wound dressings and provide further perspectives for future improvement of wound healing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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20 pages, 1673 KiB  
Review
Nanoparticles as a Promising Strategy to Mitigate Biotic Stress in Agriculture
by Gonzalo Tortella, Olga Rubilar, Joana C. Pieretti, Paola Fincheira, Bianca de Melo Santana, Martín A. Fernández-Baldo, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza and Amedea B. Seabra
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020338 - 06 Feb 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3468
Abstract
Nanoparticles are recognized due to their particular physical and chemical properties, which are conferred due to their size, in the range of nanometers. Nanoparticles are recognized for their application in medicine, electronics, and the textile industry, among others, but also in agriculture. The [...] Read more.
Nanoparticles are recognized due to their particular physical and chemical properties, which are conferred due to their size, in the range of nanometers. Nanoparticles are recognized for their application in medicine, electronics, and the textile industry, among others, but also in agriculture. The application of nanoparticles as nanofertilizers and biostimulants can help improve growth and crop productivity, and it has therefore been mentioned as an essential tool to control the adverse effects of abiotic stress. However, nanoparticles have also been noted for their exceptional antimicrobial properties. Therefore, this work reviews the state of the art of different nanoparticles that have shown the capacity to control biotic stress in plants. In this regard, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and others, such as silica nanoparticles, have been described. Moreover, uptake and translocation are covered. Finally, future remarks about the studies on nanoparticles and their beneficial role in biotic stress management are made. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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22 pages, 3602 KiB  
Review
Current Understanding of the Molecular Basis of Spices for the Development of Potential Antimicrobial Medicine
by Purnima Khatri, Asha Rani, Saif Hameed, Subhash Chandra, Chung-Ming Chang and Ramendra Pati Pandey
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020270 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2693
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance increases day by day around the world. To overcome this situation new antimicrobial agents are needed. Spices such as clove, ginger, coriander, garlic, and turmeric have the potential to fight resistant microbes. Due to their therapeutic properties, medicinal herbs and spices [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance increases day by day around the world. To overcome this situation new antimicrobial agents are needed. Spices such as clove, ginger, coriander, garlic, and turmeric have the potential to fight resistant microbes. Due to their therapeutic properties, medicinal herbs and spices have been utilized as herbal medicines since antiquity. They are important sources of organic antibacterial substances that are employed in treating infectious disorders caused by pathogens such as bacteria. The main focus of the study is the bioactivity of the active ingredients present in different kinds of naturally available spices. We conducted a thorough search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate for this review. We have read many kinds of available literature, and in this paper, we conclude that many different kinds of naturally available spices perform some form of bioactivity. After reading several papers, we found that some spices have good antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which may help in controlling the emerging antimicrobial resistance and improving human health. Spices have many phytochemicals, which show good antimicrobial and antifungal effects. This review of the literature concludes that the natural bioactivate compounds present in spices can be used as a drug to overcome antimicrobial resistance in human beings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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20 pages, 2116 KiB  
Review
Nanostructured Antibiotics and Their Emerging Medicinal Applications: An Overview of Nanoantibiotics
by Shreya Modi, Gajendra Kumar Inwati, Amel Gacem, Shahabe Saquib Abullais, Rajendra Prajapati, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Rabbani Syed, Mohammed S. Alqahtani, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Saiful Islam, Yongtae Ahn and Byong-Hun Jeon
Antibiotics 2022, 11(6), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060708 - 25 May 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3348
Abstract
Bacterial strains resistant to antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics, have emerged as serious clinical problems, necessitating the development of novel bactericidal materials. Nanostructures with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers have appeared recently as novel antibacterial agents, which are also known [...] Read more.
Bacterial strains resistant to antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics, have emerged as serious clinical problems, necessitating the development of novel bactericidal materials. Nanostructures with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers have appeared recently as novel antibacterial agents, which are also known as “nanoantibiotics”. Nanomaterials have been shown to exert greater antibacterial effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria across several studies. Antibacterial nanofilms for medical implants and restorative matters to prevent bacterial harm and antibacterial vaccinations to control bacterial infections are examples of nanoparticle applications in the biomedical sectors. The development of unique nanostructures, such as nanocrystals and nanostructured materials, is an exciting step in alternative efforts to manage microorganisms because these materials provide disrupted antibacterial effects, including better biocompatibility, as opposed to minor molecular antimicrobial systems, which have short-term functions and are poisonous. Although the mechanism of action of nanoparticles (NPs) is unknown, scientific suggestions include the oxidative-reductive phenomenon, reactive ionic metals, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many synchronized gene transformations in the same bacterial cell are essential for antibacterial resistance to emerge; thus, bacterial cells find it difficult to build resistance to nanoparticles. Therefore, nanomaterials are considered as advanced solution tools for the fields of medical science and allied health science. The current review emphasizes the importance of nanoparticles and various nanosized materials as antimicrobial agents based on their size, nature, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology for Antimicrobials in Medicine and Agriculture)
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