Antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles: research progress, challenges and prospects

Abstract

Significance and Impact of the Study: This paper discusses the recent research progress on antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles and provides general insights into the field for researchers committed to this field. AbstractGold nanoparticles are emerging materials that exhibit characteristics distinct from those of traditional materials and that have promising potential for application in the fields of chemistry, physics, biology and medicine. During the past decades, numerous studies on the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles have been published. With respect to antimicrobial activity, gold nanoparticles conjugated with small molecules, such as antibiotics, drugs, vaccines and antibodies, are more efficient than individual nanoparticles and molecules. Regarding the toxicity effects, results are often unclear and conflicting because of the lack of a standard experimental method; various studies have used different approaches, administration routes and doses, and similar experiments may lead to different conclusions. To provide a systematic overview of and insight in the current knowledge for researchers committed to this filed, we discuss the recent research advances related to the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles, both in vitro and in vivo, and identify major issues that require further study.

Surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles for health-related applications

“…These unique photoelectric properties have been studied and applied in elds such as sensing probes, therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems in biological and pharmaceutical applications. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Gold nanomaterials with different shapes and sizes are easy to synthesize and modify according to different applications. Here, we call all these gold nanomaterials as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).…”

Tackling Multidrug Resistance in Streptococci – From Novel Biotherapeutic Strategies to Nanomedicines

“…AuNPs have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria and fungus ( Tao, 2018 ). Several mechanisms of action have been highlighted as the basis of their antimicrobial properties, namely: AuNPs may bind to the membrane of bacteria, modify the membrane’s potential, decrease intracellular ATP levels, disturb intracellular trafficking, aggregate together with proteins and disturb the assembly of tRNA to the ribosome ( Cui et al, 2012 ).…”

Current challenges for shaping the sustainable and mold-free hygienic indoor environment in humid regions

“…moisture and nutrients), introducing stress inducers has been another emerging strategy to inhibit mold growth (Gaylarde et al 2011). Among the most popular stressors are nanoparticles (NPs) used in surface coating as a new technology (Chen et al 2009; Gaylarde et al 2011; Tao 2018). Therefore, the use of NPs as stressors is also discussed in terms of its pros and cons.…”