Effect of Polypropylene Imine Nanocomposite on Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Abstract

Background: Nosocomial infection is a serious threat to hospitalized patients in healthcare when last-resort antibiotics do not act against pathogenic bacteria. Aims: The aim of this study was to study the effect of Polypropylene imine nanocomposite (PPI/CNT) on Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative bacteria. Methods: PPI/CNT component was produced. Surface morphology and structure of PPI/CNT were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SAM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of PPI/CNT was determined against various bacteria. Results: FTIR showed strong and wider peak binding molecules in the CNT/COOH and PPI/CNT compo-nent. PPI/CNT component was denser in comparison to low carbon nanotube according to SAM test. TEM images showed that carbon nanotube was covered by PPI dots. The lowest MIC concerns polymer particles for Staphylococcus epidermidis were 0.0025 µM/ml and Mycobacterium smegmatis 0.005 µM/ml. Conclusion: Our result indicated that PPI/CNT nanocomposite had good activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Some of the gram-negative bacteria were tolerant up to highest concentration. With more investigations, it can be used as a new antibacterial component.