Antibacterial activity of silver bionanocomposites synthesized by chemical reduction route

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to investigate the functions of polymers and size of nanoparticles on the antibacterial activity of silver bionanocomposites (Ag BNCs). In this research, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were incorporated into biodegradable polymers that are chitosan, gelatin and both polymers via chemical reduction method in solvent in order to produce Ag BNCs. Silver nitrate and sodium borohydride were employed as a metal precursor and reducing agent respectively. On the other hand, chitosan and gelatin were added as a polymeric matrix and stabilizer. The antibacterial activity of different sizes of silver nanoparticles was investigated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by the disk diffusion method using Mueller-Hinton Agar.ResultsThe properties of Ag BNCs were studied as a function of the polymer weight ratio in relation to the use of chitosan and gelatin. The morphology of the Ag BNCs films and the distribution of the Ag NPs were also characterized. The diameters of the Ag NPs were measured and their size is less than 20 nm. The antibacterial trait of silver/chitosan/gelatin bionanocomposites was investigated. The silver ions released from the Ag BNCs and their antibacterial activities were scrutinized. The antibacterial activities of the Ag BNC films were examined against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (S. aureus and M. luteus) by diffusion method using Muller-Hinton agar.ConclusionsThe antibacterial activity of Ag NPs with size less than 20 nm was demonstrated and showed positive results against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The Ag NPs stabilized well in the polymers matrix.

Nanosilver: new ageless and versatile biomedical therapeutic scaffold

“…These silver composites exhibited satisfactory antibacterial properties. 224 In recent studies, spherical-shaped 20, 18, and 15 nm AgNPs were prepared. The experimental result showed that all AgNPs were active against different strains of bacteria.…”

A Review on Antimicrobial Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposites: A Roadmap Toward Pathogen Targeted Synthesis

“…Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were incorporated into biodegradable polymers (i.e., chitosan and gelatin) by utilizing silver nitrate as metal precursor and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) as reducing agent [38]. The average diameters of AgNPs were in the range of 2.90-11.25 nm, which were stabilized in a polymeric matrix of chitosan and gelatin.…”

“…In the in situ chemical method, the reducing agent NaBH 4 produces silver nanoparticles of smaller sizes while using chitosan=gelatin as stabilizers [38]. However, the reducing agent sodium citrate originates silver nanoparticles of larger sizes [41].…”

Multifunctional chitosan nanocomposites: The effect of silver supported on montmorillonite platelets on barrier and mechanical properties

“…In particular, different silver compounds were incorporated into various forms of chitosan matrix, including solution [3], gel [4] and film [5]. All these papers mainly deal with the structural characterization of the obtained nanocomposites and with the study of their antimicrobial and antibacterial activity.…”