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The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 13820

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jovan M. Nedeljković

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Guest Editor

Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: energy and environmental applications; antimicrobial properties of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles; photocatalysis; interfacial charge transfer complexes; sensors; green chemistry; inorganic-organic hybrids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Vesna Lazić

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Guest Editor

Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: antimicrobial properties and toxicity of nanoparticles; green synthesis of metal nanoparticles; nanocomposites; nanoparticles as a chemical sensor; enzyme immobilization using nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles present the bridge between two worlds, molecules and clusters, on one side, and the solid materials, on the other. Due to the large specific surface area, the activity of nanoparticles, including antimicrobial, is generally higher compared to their bulk counterparts. As a consequence of growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, antibacterial properties and potential application of nanoparticles have been intensively studied since the beginning of this century. The main challenge in this field is to find a balance between the efficiency of antimicrobial action of nanoparticles, controlling their morphology (size and shape), and interface properties with their toxicity and undesired impact on the environment. Besides many contributions in this area, the mechanism of antimicrobial action of nanoparticles remains open.

The present Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to provide original research articles and reviews that cover current challenges in the efficient use of nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents in biological fields. We invite contributions from leading groups in this field to give state-of-the-art insight into this discipline, busting further research.

Dr. Jovan M. Nedeljković
Dr. Vesna Lazić
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanomaterials
in vitro and in vivo application of nanomaterials in biomedicine
antimicrobial properties of noble metal nanoparticles
antimicrobial properties of metal oxide nanoparticles
toxicity of nanomaterials
mechanism of antimicrobial action of nanomaterials
environmental impact of nanomaterials

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2015 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shaping Silver Nanoparticles’ Size through the Carrier Composition: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity

by Margherita Cacaci, Giacomo Biagiotti, Gianluca Toniolo, Martin Albino, Claudio Sangregorio, Mirko Severi, Maura Di Vito, Damiano Squitieri, Luca Contiero, Marco Paggi, Marcello Marelli, Stefano Cicchi, Francesca Bugli and Barbara Richichi

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(10), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13101585 - 09 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1241

Abstract

The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics represents a severe global emergency for human health. The broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of silver has been known for a long time, and silver at the nanoscale shows enhanced antibacterial activity. This has prompted research into the development of silver-based nanomaterials for applications in clinical settings. In this work, the synthesis of three different silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hybrids using both organic and inorganic supports with intrinsic antibacterial properties is described. The tuning of the AgNPs’ shape and size according to the type of bioactive support was also investigated. Specifically, the commercially available sulfated cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), the salicylic acid functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO-SA), and the commercially available titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were chosen as organic (CNC, rGO-SA) and inorganic (TiO₂) supports. Then, the antimicrobial activity of the AgNP composites was assessed on clinically relevant multi-drug-resistant bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. The results show how the formation of Ag nanoparticles on the selected supports provides the resulting composite materials with an effective antibacterial activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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14 pages, 3418 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Green Synthesis: The Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract of Teucrium stocksianum

by Iqra Rehman, Humaira Yasmeen Gondal, Roshan Zamir, Sami A. Al-Hussain, Fozia Batool, Ali Irfan, Sobia Noreen, Taleeha Roheen, Muhammad Nisar and Magdi E. A. Zaki

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(8), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13081343 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1735

Abstract

Green synthesis is one of the promising pathways for biologically active nanoscale materials. Herein, an eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) was carried out using an extract of Teucrium stocksianum. The biological reduction and size of NPS were optimized by controlling the physicochemical parameters such as concentration, temperature, and pH. A comparison of fresh and air-dried plant extracts was also undertaken to establish a reproducible methodology. The biosynthesized SNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, DLS, and XRD analyses. The prepared SNPs exhibited significant biological potential against multi-drug-resistant pathogenic strains. The results revealed that the biosynthesized SNPs exhibit high antimicrobial activity at low concentrations compared to the parent plant extract. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values were found between 5.3 µg/mL to 9.7 µg/mL for the biosynthesized SNPs, whereas the aqueous extract of the plant showed many high values of MIC, i.e., between 69 and 98 µg/ML. Furthermore, the synthesized SNPs were found efficient in the photolytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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10 pages, 9462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Entrapment and Concentration of SARS-CoV-2 Particles with Graphene Oxide: An In Vitro Assay

by Beatriz Parra, Adolfo Contreras, José Herminsul Mina, Mayra Eliana Valencia, Carlos David Grande-Tovar, Carlos Humberto Valencia, Cristina Ramírez and Germán Armando Bolívar

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(2), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13020343 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1347

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that graphene oxide (GO) has some antiviral capacity against some enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Given this background, we wanted to test the in vitro antiviral ability to GO using the viral plaque assay technique. Two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were synthesized using the modified Hummers method, varying the oxidation conditions to achieve nanoparticles between 390 and 718 nm. The antiviral activity of GO was evaluated by experimental infection and plaque formation units assay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in VERO cells using a titrated viral clinical isolate. It was found that GO at concentrations of 400 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, and 4 µg/mL was not toxic to cell culture and also did not inhibit the infection of VERO cells by SARS-CoV-2. However, it was evident that GO generated a novel virus entrapment phenomenon directly proportional to its concentration in the suspension. Similarly, this effect of GO was maintained in assays performed with the Zika virus. A new application for GO nanoparticles is proposed as part of a system to trap viruses in surgical mask filters, air conditioning equipment filters, and air purifier filters, complemented with the use of viricidal agents that can destroy the trapped viruses, an application of broad interest for human beings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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15 pages, 6742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Antifungal Activity of Biosynthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against Candida albicans

by Luis Enrique Garcia-Marin, Karla Juarez-Moreno, Alfredo Rafael Vilchis-Nestor and Ernestina Castro-Longoria

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(21), 3856; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213856 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1847

Abstract

Candida albicans (ATCC SC5314) was exposed to biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) to determine their inhibitory capacity. Nanoparticles were polydisperse of small size (5.8 ± 3.5 nm) with irregular shape. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C. albicans was 35.5 µg/mL. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of C. albicans was verified when exposed to different concentrations of CuONPs. Ultrastructural analysis of C. albicans revealed a high concentration of CuONPs in the cytoplasm and outside the cell; also, nanoparticles were detected within the cell wall. Cytotoxic analyses using fibroblasts (L929), macrophages (RAW 264.7), and breast (MCF-12) cell lines show good results of cell viability when exposed at the MIC. Additionally, a hemocompatibility analysis was carried out and was found to be below 5%, considered the threshold for biocompatibility. Therefore, it is concluded that the biosynthesized CuONPs have a high potential for developing a topical antifungal treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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12 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gold Nanoparticle-Based Resuscitation of Cefoxitin against Clinical Pathogens: A Nano-Antibiotic Strategy to Overcome Resistance

by Ahmed Alafnan, Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi, Abdullah S. Alshammari, Syed Shah Mohammed Faiyaz, Amr Selim Abu Lila, Ahmed A. Katamesh, El-Sayed Khafagy, Hadil Faris Alotaibi and Abo Bakr F. Ahmed

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3643; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203643 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1657

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles have gained popularity as an effective drug delivery vehicle due to their unique features. In fact, antibiotics transported via gold nanoparticles have significantly enhanced their potency in the recent past. The present study used an approach to synthesize gold nanoparticles in one step with the help of cefoxitin antibiotic as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Cefoxitin is a second-generation cephalosporin that loses its potential due to modification in the porins (ompK35 and ompK36) of Gram-negative pathogens. Thus, the present study has developed an idea to revive the potential of cefoxitin against clinical Gram-negative pathogens, i.e., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, via applying gold nanoparticles as a delivery tool. Prior to antibacterial activity, characterization of cefoxitin–gold nanoparticles was performed via UV–visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy. A characteristic UV–visible scan peak for gold nanoparticles was observed at 518 nm, ζ potential was estimated as −23.6 ± 1.6, and TEM estimated the size in the range of 2–12 nm. Moreover, cefoxitin loading efficiency on gold nanoparticles was calculated to be 71.92%. The antibacterial assay revealed that cefoxitin, after loading onto the gold nanoparticles, become potent against cefoxitin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and their MIC₅₀ values were estimated as 1.5 μg/mL and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. Here, gold nanoparticles effectively deliver cefoxitin to the resistant pathogens, and convert it from unresponsive to a potent antibiotic. However, to obtain some convincing conclusions on the human relevance, their fate and toxicity need to be evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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16 pages, 3427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Supported by Surface-Modified Zirconium Dioxide with Dihydroquercetin

by Dušan Sredojević, Vesna Lazić, Andrea Pirković, Jovana Periša, Natalija Murafa, Biljana Spremo-Potparević, Lada Živković, Dijana Topalović, Aleksandra Zarubica, Milica Jovanović Krivokuća and Jovan M. Nedeljković

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3195; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183195 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1760

Abstract

The antibacterial performance and cytotoxic examination of in situ prepared silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), on inorganic-organic hybrid nanopowder consisting of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) and dihydroquercetin (DHQ), was performed against Gram (−) bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram (+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, as well as against human cervical cancer cells HeLa and healthy MRC-5 human cells. The surface modification of ZrO₂ NPs, synthesized by the sol-gel method, with DHQ leads to the interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex formation indicated by the appearance of absorption in the visible spectral range. The prepared samples were thoroughly characterized (TEM, XRD, reflection spectroscopy), and, in addition, the spectroscopic observations are supported by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations using a cluster model. The concentration- and time-dependent antibacterial tests indicated a complete reduction of bacterial species, E. coli and S. aureus, for all investigated concentrations of silver (0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/mL) after 24 h of contact. On the other side, the functionalized ZrO₂ NPs with DHQ, before and after deposition of Ag NPs, do not display a significant decrease in the viability of HeLa MRC-5 cells in any of the used concentrations compared to the control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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Review

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34 pages, 53644 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chemical Nature of Metals and Metal-Based Materials in Inactivation of Viruses

by Haozhong Tian, Bin He, Yongguang Yin, Lihong Liu, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu and Guibin Jiang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2345; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142345 - 08 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3389

Abstract

In response to the enormous threat to human survival and development caused by the large number of viruses, it is necessary to strengthen the defense against and elimination of viruses. Metallic materials have been used against viruses for thousands of years due to their broad-spectrum antiviral properties, wide sources and excellent physicochemical properties; in particular, metal nanoparticles have advanced biomedical research. However, researchers in different fields hold dissimilar views on the antiviral mechanisms, which has slowed down the antiviral application of metal nanoparticles. As such, this review begins with an exhaustive compilation of previously published work on the antiviral capacity of metal nanoparticles and other materials. Afterwards, the discussion is centered on the antiviral mechanisms of metal nanoparticles at the biological and physicochemical levels. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the strong reducibility of metal nanoparticles may be the main reason for their efficient inactivation of viruses. We hope that this review will benefit the promotion of metal nanoparticles in the antiviral field and expedite the construction of a barrier between humans and viruses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Antimicrobial Properties of Nanoparticles in Biological Fields)

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