Bactericidal Activity of Graphene Oxide Tests for Selected Microorganisms

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the bactericidal potential of graphene oxide (GO) in contact with four species of bacteria: E. coli, S. mutans, S. aureus and E. faecalis. Bacterial cell suspensions of each species were incubated in a medium containing GO, with incubation times of 5, 10, 30 and 60 min, at final concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 300 and 500 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity of GO was evaluated using live/dead staining. The results were recorded using a BD Accuri C6 flow cytofluorimeter. Obtained data were analyzed using BD CSampler software. A significant bacteria viability reduction was noted in all GO-containing samples. The antibacterial properties of GO were strongly influenced by GO concentration and incubation time. The highest bactericidal activity was observed at concentrations of 300 and 500 μg/mL for all incubation times (5, 10, 30 and 60 min). The highest antimicrobial potential was observed for E. coli: after 60 min, the mortality rate was 94% at 300 µg/mL GO and 96% at 500 µg/mL GO; the lowest was found for S. aureus—49% (300 µg/mL) and 55% (500 µg/mL).