Evaluation of antimicrobial action of silver composite microspheres based on styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer

Abstract

This article reports the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a silver composite based on sulfonic resin. The antimicrobial action of the composite was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus through plate, batch and colunm experiments. In batch studies, the efficiency of the composite was evaluated as a function of composite mass, bacterial concentration and contact time. We also developed a method to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of this composite using column tests. The antimicrobial activity of the composite was similar against the three bacteria in halo inhibition and batch experiments. The antibacterial activity was 100% against all bacteria above 0.20 g of composite and for all concentrations of bacteria studied. Column studies showed that the composite (1 g) had 100% action against 48 cm 3 of S. aureus and 55 cm 3 of E. coli and P. aeruginosa suspensions (10 5 cells mL -1 , 50 cm 3 min -1 ).

Antimicrobial activity of silver composites obtained from crosslinked polystyrene with polyHIPE structures

“…The impregnation of silver nanoparticles in polymers was performed according to the descriptions of Mandu et al [20] , Santa Maria et al [22] and Gangadharan et al [21] , with modifications. Both sulfonated polyHIPEs (1 g) were treated with AgNO 3 (aqueous solution of 0.1 mol L -1 , 10 mL) for 48 hours in a sealed environment protected from light.…”

“…Crosslinked porous copolymers have been used as supports for several antimicrobial groups such as ammonium and phosphonium quaternary groups, charge transfer complexes involving iodine and quaternary ammonium groups, N-halamines, sulfo-derivatives and metal particles [19] . Antimicrobial polymers based on silver composites and nanocomposites have potential applications for the inhibition of biofilm formation [20] . Among the studies involving the preparation of silver composites from crosslinked copolymers can be cited the works of Gangadharan et al [21] Santa Maria et al [22] , Mthombeni et al [23] and Mandu et al [20] .…”

“…Antimicrobial polymers based on silver composites and nanocomposites have potential applications for the inhibition of biofilm formation [20] . Among the studies involving the preparation of silver composites from crosslinked copolymers can be cited the works of Gangadharan et al [21] Santa Maria et al [22] , Mthombeni et al [23] and Mandu et al [20] . In these studies, the antimicrobial activity of the final products was evaluated by different strategies.…”

“…The antimicrobial activity of this material was evaluated against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and S. aureus employing the plate method and in test tubes. Santa Maria et al [22] , Mthombeni et al [23] and Mandu et al [20] prepared silver composites from commercial sulfonic resins (Lewatit VPOC1800, Amberlyst 15WET, Amberlite IR-120, respectively). The method of impregnation of silver nanoparticles in these resins was based on exchange of H + ions by Ag + ions followed by chemical reduction of these ions.…”

“…In turn, Mthombeni et al [23] evaluated the antimicrobial activity of these silver nanocomposites against E. coli in macroscale column experiments. Mandu et al [20] evaluated the antimicrobial activity of silver composites against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus through plate, batch, and column experiments. From the column experiments, also realized on a macro scale, they determined the breakthrough point and working biocidal activity.…”