Antibacterial and Antifungal Silver Nanoparticles with Tunable Size Embedded in Various Cellulose-Based Matrices

Abstract

The aim of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using cellulose derivatives and to evaluate their antimicrobial potential. As effective reducing and stabilizing agents for AgNPs, cellulose derivatives, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), and cellulose acetate (CA), were used. Their ability to reduce silver ions as well as the size of the resulting AgNPs were compared. The formation and stability of the reduced AgNPs in the solution were monitored using UV-Vis analysis. The size, morphology, and charge of the AgNPs were evaluated. We found that, when using cellulosic derivatives, AgNPs with sizes ranging from 17 to 89 nm and different stabilities were obtained. The parameters, such as size and ζ potential indicate the stability of AgNPs, with AgNPs-CA and AgNPs-HPC being considered more stable than AgNPs-EC and AgNPs-MC since they show higher ζ potential values. In addition, the AgNPs showed antimicrobial activity against all reference strains and clinical isolates. MIC values between 0.0312 and 0.125 mM had a bactericidal effect on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The fungicidal effect was obtained at a MIC value of 0.125 mM. These results may provide rational support in the design of medical gauze products, including gauze pads, rolls, and sponges.

Особливості гелеутворення і агрегації у водних розчинах гідроксипропілцелюлози з солями NaCl, NaI і AgNO3

“…This fact indicates that the density of polymer aggregates in the solution with AgNO 3 was higher than the density of clusters in the ion-free solution. This conclusion is confirmed by the results of works [13][14][15][16][17], where it was shown that silver nitrate is reduced by cellulose derivatives to metal; as a result, polymer aggregates contain silver nanoparticles tens of nanometers in size.…”

“…In our opinion, the aggregation and sedimentation of polymer clusters from dilute solutions in the presence of ions has an important application value for the development of promising technologies, such as catalysts with adjustable activity and film nanocomposite materials [36][37][38][39][40]. In works [13][14][15][16][17], it was shown that composite films based on water-soluble cellulose derivatives with metallic silver nanoparticles have a high fungicidal and antibacterial efficiencies against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Taking this fact into account, the aggregation in diluted aqueous solutions of HPC with the ions of NaI and AgNO 3 salts can be used in modern technologies for the production of bactericidal polymeric films used for wound treatment.…”

“…The latter two salts demonstrate a pronounced bactericidal activity. Therefore, the physical and biological properties of polymer systems created making use of those salts have been the subject of intensive research for a long time [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Fast and easy synthesis of silver, copper, and bimetallic nanoparticles on cellulose paper assisted by ultrasound

“…Notably, the in situ synthesis optimizes the rate of MNPs formation. However, it showed poor control of morphology and polydispersity of the resulting NPs on the cellulose fibers [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] . For instance, He et al used paper as a substrate for generating MNPs using AgNO 3 as a precursor and NaBH 4 as a reducing agent.…”

“…Different research has modified cellulose surfaces by wet impregnating previously synthesized and in situ MNPs, thus taking advantage of cellulose wetting and porosity in water [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] . As a general procedure, cellulose paper is immersed in the metal salt solution.…”