Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become very attractive for the scientific community due to their broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field. The main advantages of AgNPs include a simple method of synthesis, a simple way to change their morphology and high surface area to volume ratio. Much research has been carried out over the years to evaluate their possible effectivity against microbial organisms. The most important factors which influence the effectivity of AgNPs against microorganisms are the method of their preparation and the type of application. When incorporated into fabric wound dressings and other textiles, AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and inhibited biofilm formation. In this review, the different routes of synthesizing AgNPs with controlled size and geometry including chemical, green, irradiation and thermal synthesis, as well as the different types of application of AgNPs for wound dressings such as membrane immobilization, topical application, preparation of nanofibers and hydrogels, and the mechanism behind their antimicrobial activity, have been discussed elaborately.

Drugs are important xenobiotics in the environment. Their use increases with the growth of the human population, but also in agricultural primary production. Paracetamol (PAR) is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic and its production is still growing. Commonly available drug production technologies are being developed very intensively with nanotechnological modifications for their gradual and targeted release. Nanoparticles (ST/PAR) from starch were prepared: PAR (0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 mg/L) was mixed with citric acid ester in a 1:8 v/v ratio for 30 min at 25 ⁰C. By the centrifugation (16.000 g, 30 min) ST/PAR were obtained in the pellet. The effect of PAR was studied on Daphnia magna Straus (Cladocera, Crustacea). Adult females (70-400 mg) were used for self-evaluation. The EC50 was 3.749 mg/L after 48 h of PAR treatment. Total protein values determined by Lowry method were between 0.5-2.2 mg/mL and by Bradford method between 190-676 mg/L. Antioxidant activity values determined by CUPRAC method were between 4-15 µg/mL GAE and by ABTS method ranged between 40-103 µg/mL GAE. PAR values were between 9-40 µM. Subsequently, the biological activity of the prepared nanoparticles was tested.

Several silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with biological effect were prepared by green synthesis. AgNPs were prepared from Vitis vinifera seeds (Merlos variety) used as wine production waste. Green synthesis brings intensive surface modifications of nanoparticles. The seeds were lyophilized and then homogeneously ground. Purified extracts (0.5, 2.5, 5 and 10 g / 100 mL water) were added to AgNO3 solution(1 M) in a 1:1(v/v) ratio and stirred for 24 h. The formed nanoparticles were precipitated with methanol (1:1) (v/v) and lyophilized. Secondary metabolites were analyzed by various methods. The preparation yield of AgNPs ranged between 3 -25 %. The total protein values determined by the Lowry method ranged between 1.8-3.6 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity values determined by the CUPRAC method ranged between 76 -157 µg/mL GAE. Total phenols values determined by Folin-Ciocalteu ranged between 88 -160 µg/mL GAE, by 4-aminoantipyrine method (TAAP) ranged between 728 -1,299 µg/mL GAE, by Price Butler method (PBM) ranged between 57 -108 µg / mL GAE. AgNPs prepared from Vitis vinifera seeds (AgNPs-VV) showed also antibacterial activity. Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of AgNPs-VV in S.aureus was 31 µg/mL and MIC in E. coli was 55 µg/mL.

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a DNA virus of the Asfivirus genus of the Asfarviridae family that is found in blood, body fluids, and internal organs. ASFV was described more than 40 years ago. This virus spreads pandemically and the mortality rate of the virus-related disease ranges from 90 to 100 %. The aim of this study was to propose the detection of specific nucleic acid of ASFV using electrochemical hybridization biosensor. Determination of DNA was conducted by AdTSV DPV a CV (potential 0 V, end potential -1.8 V, step potential 5 mV, modulation amplitude 25 mV, 0.2 M acetate buffer pH 5.0). The volume of analysed sample was 10 µL. CV signals CA (log -0.0373x, r 0.99, Ep -1.30 V) and P peak (log -0.0801x, r 0.99, Ep -1.52 V) were observed. To increase the sensitivity, a modification of ODN with CdTe was proposed. The CdTe signal was observed around the potential of -0.56 V and for modified ODNs the signal was -0.58 V. SPION were prepared to capture DNA. The interaction of DNA (PCR fragment, 280 bp) with SPION was very fast within 30 s. The technique will be further used for a microfluidic system.