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Antimicrobial Activity of Metal- and Metal-Oxide-Based Nanoparticles

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 5009

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Guest Editor
Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
Interests: metal nanoparticles; metal-oxide-based nanoparticles; antimicrobial activity; nanobiomedicine; wound dressings; immunotherapy; regenerative medicine; biosensors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal- and metal-oxide-based nanoparticles are well-known agents possessing antibacterial effects. Their application in biomedical materials used for implants, wound dressings, catheters and stents, immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and biosensing platforms is defining them as efficient therapeutics and precise diagnostic tools. Researchers still face issues of balancing between the beneficial therapeutic influence and toxic side effects of these nanoparticles. The development of new nanomaterials exhibiting antibacterial activity and low toxicity is crucial for emerging significant breakthroughs in the field of nanobiomedicine.

In this sense, the goal of this Special Issue is to investigate the current and newly developed metal- and metal-oxide based nanoparticles that demonstrate antimicrobial activity. We invite researchers to contribute original research works or review articles and perspectives in these areas. Please note that pure clinical or model studies will not be suitable for our journal. However, clinical or pure model submissions with biomolecular experiments are welcomed.

Dr. Maciej Monedeiro-Milanowski
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biomedical materials
  • antimicrobial activity
  • nanomaterials
  • nanobiomedicine
  • metal-oxide-based nanoparticles
  • metal nanoparticles
  • wound dressings
  • immunotherapy
  • regenerative medicine
  • biosensors

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 11100 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Study of Hybrid Films Based on Polypropylene and NiO or NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles
by Karen L. Rincon-Granados, América R. Vázquez-Olmos, Adriana-Patricia Rodríguez-Hernández, Gina Prado-Prone, Margarita Rivera, Vicente Garibay-Febles, Yara C. Almanza-Arjona, Roberto Y. Sato-Berrú, Esther Mata-Zamora, Phaedra S. Silva-Bermúdez and Alejandro Vega-Jiménez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 17052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242317052 - 2 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1151
Abstract
This study presents an in vitro analysis of the bactericidal and cytotoxic properties of hybrid films containing nickel oxide (NiO) and nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles embedded in polypropylene (PP). The solvent casting method was used to synthesize films of [...] Read more.
This study presents an in vitro analysis of the bactericidal and cytotoxic properties of hybrid films containing nickel oxide (NiO) and nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles embedded in polypropylene (PP). The solvent casting method was used to synthesize films of PP, PP@NiO, and PP@NiFe2O4, which were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that the small crystallite sizes of NiO and NiFe2O4 NPs were maintained even after they were incorporated into the PP matrix. From the Raman scattering spectroscopy data, it was evident that there was a significant interaction between the NPs and the PP matrix. Additionally, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a homogeneous dispersion of NiO and NiFe2O4 NPs throughout the PP matrix. The incorporation of the NPs was observed to alter the surface roughness of the films; this behavior was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The antibacterial properties of all films were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC®: 43636™) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC®: 23235™), two opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens. The PP@NiO and PP@ NiFe2O4 films showed over 90% bacterial growth inhibition for both strains. Additionally, the effects of the films on human skin cells, such as epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, were evaluated for cytotoxicity. The PP, PP@NiO, and PP@NiFe2O4 films were nontoxic to human keratinocytes. Furthermore, compared to the PP film, improved biocompatibility of the PP@NiFe2O4 film with human fibroblasts was observed. The methodology utilized in this study allows for the production of hybrid films that can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, such as S. aureus, and Gram-negative bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa. These films have potential as coating materials to prevent bacterial proliferation on surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Metal- and Metal-Oxide-Based Nanoparticles)
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29 pages, 18687 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Multiple Morphologies of Gold/Platinum Doped Bismuth Oxide Nanostructures
by Cătălin Ianăși, Nicoleta Sorina Nemeş, Bogdan Pascu, Radu Lazău, Adina Negrea, Petru Negrea, Narcis Duteanu, Mihaela Ciopec, Jiri Plocek, Popa Alexandru, Bianca Bădescu, Daniel Marius Duda-Seiman and Delia Muntean
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713173 - 24 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Bismuth oxides were synthesized from bismuth carbonate using the sol-gel method. Studies have described the formation of Bi2O3, as a precursor of HNO3 dissolution, and intermediate oxides, such as BixOy when using H2SO [...] Read more.
Bismuth oxides were synthesized from bismuth carbonate using the sol-gel method. Studies have described the formation of Bi2O3, as a precursor of HNO3 dissolution, and intermediate oxides, such as BixOy when using H2SO4 and H3PO4. The average size of the crystallite calculated from Scherrer’s formula ranged from 9 to 19 nm, according to X-ray diffraction. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of specific Bi2O3 bands when using HNO3 and of crystalline phases of “bismuth oxide sulphate” when using H2SO4 and “bismuth phosphate” when using H3PO4. The TG curves showed major mass losses and specific thermal effects, delimited in four temperature zones for materials synthesized with HNO3 (with loss of mass between 24% and 50%) and H2SO4 (with loss of mass between 45% and 76%), and in three temperature zones for materials synthesized with H3PO4 (with loss of mass between 13% and 43%). Further, the thermal stability indicates that materials have been improved by the addition of a polymer or polymer and carbon. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed decreased roughness in the series, [BixOy]N > [BixOy-6% PVA]N > [BixOy-C-6% PVA]N, and increased roughness for materials [BixOy]S, [BixOy-6% PVA]S, [BixOy-C-6% PVA]S, [BixOy]P, [BixOy-6% PVA]P and [BixOy-C-6% PVA]P. The morphological analysis (electronic scanning microscopy) of the synthesized materials showed a wide variety of forms: overlapping nanoplates ([BixOy]N or [BixOy]S), clusters of angular forms ([BixOy-6% PVA]N), pillars ([BixOy-6% PVA]S-Au), needle particles ([BixOy-Au], [BixOy-6% PVA]S-Au, [BixOy-C-6% PVA]S-Au), spherical particles ([BixOy-C-6% PVA]P-Pt), 2D plates ([BixOy]P-Pt) and 3D nanometric plates ([BixOy-C-6% PVA]S-Au). For materials obtained in the first synthesis stage, antimicrobial activity increased in the series [BixOy]N > [BixOy]S > [BixOy]P. For materials synthesized in the second synthesis stage, when polymer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) was added, maximum antimicrobial activity, regardless of the microbial species tested, was present in the material [BixOy-6% PVA]S. For the materials synthesized in the third stage, to which graphite and 6% PVA were added, the best antimicrobial activity was in the material [BixOy-C-6% PVA]P. Materials synthesized and doped with metal ions (gold or platinum) showed significant antimicrobial activity for the tested microbial species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Metal- and Metal-Oxide-Based Nanoparticles)
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18 pages, 3904 KiB  
Article
Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Exposure on Human Glial Cells and Zebrafish Embryos
by Vanessa Valdiglesias, Anabel Alba-González, Natalia Fernández-Bertólez, Assia Touzani, Lucía Ramos-Pan, Ana Teresa Reis, Jorge Moreda-Piñeiro, Julián Yáñez, Blanca Laffon and Mónica Folgueira
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512297 - 1 Aug 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1682
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials. They have multiple applications in cosmetics, textiles, paints, electronics and, recently, also in biomedicine. This extensive use of ZnO NPs notably increases the probability that both humans and wildlife are subjected [...] Read more.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials. They have multiple applications in cosmetics, textiles, paints, electronics and, recently, also in biomedicine. This extensive use of ZnO NPs notably increases the probability that both humans and wildlife are subjected to undesirable effects. Despite being among the most studied NPs from a toxicological point of view, much remains unknown about their ecotoxicological effects or how they may affect specific cell types, such as cells of the central nervous system. The main objective of this work was to investigate the effects of ZnO NPs on human glial cells and zebrafish embryo development and to explore the role of the released Zn2+ ions in these effects. The effects on cell viability on human A172 glial cells were assessed with an MTT assay and morphological analysis. The potential acute and developmental toxicity was assessed employing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. To determine the role of Zn2+ ions in the in vitro and in vivo observed effects, we measured their release from ZnO NPs with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Then, cells and zebrafish embryos were treated with a water-soluble salt (zinc sulfate) at concentrations that equal the number of Zn2+ ions released by the tested concentrations of ZnO NPs. Exposure to ZnO NPs induced morphological alterations and a significant decrease in cell viability depending on the concentration and duration of treatment, even after removing the overestimation due to NP interference. Although there were no signs of acute toxicity in zebrafish embryos, a decrease in hatching was detected after exposure to the highest ZnO NP concentrations tested. The ability of ZnO NPs to release Zn2+ ions into the medium in a concentration-dependent manner was confirmed. Zn2+ ions did not seem entirely responsible for the effects observed in the glial cells, but they were likely responsible for the decrease in zebrafish hatching rate. The results obtained in this work contribute to the knowledge of the toxicological potential of ZnO NPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Metal- and Metal-Oxide-Based Nanoparticles)
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