Using silver nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent

Abstract

Antimicrobial and antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles, silver ions, acrylate paint and cotton fabric impregnated with Ag nanoparticles were assessed against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacterium); Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive bacteria); Aspergillus niger, Aureobasidium pullulans and Penicillium phoeniceum (cosmopolitan saprotrophic fungi). The silver ions used in the bacterial susceptibility tests were released from pure silver electrodes using a 12 V battery-operated direct current generator. The water-based silver colloidal solution was obtained by electroreduction of silver ions in water. Nanosilver was less effective against E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. phoeniceum compared to silver ions. However silver nanoparticles have prolonged bactericidal effect as a result of continuous release of Ag ions in sufficient concentration and thus nanoparticles can be more suitable in some bactericidal applications. The synthesized silver nanoparticles added to water paints or cotton fabrics have demonstrated a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.