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Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 17708

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Prof. Dr. Yin-Yu Chang

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering, National Formosa University, Yunlin 632, Taiwan
Interests: plasma science; vacuum technology; nanoscience; surface engineering; thin films

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology is applied in diverse industries such as medicine, electronics, science, and materials engineering. Nanotechnology is an advanced approach that has stood out due to its high efficiency, and nanomaterials are increasingly utilized in various bio-applications. The high surface-to-volume ratios and defined pore sizes of nanomaterials make them suitable as biological motifs and for surface functionalization in biosensing and theranostic studies of diseases. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in nanotechnology for antibacterials and antimicrobials, such as the synthesis, characterization, and performance (both in vitro and in vivo) of nanomaterials and modified surfaces designed for biomedical applications (biomaterials, bioimplants, biosensors, general health care, etc.).

The topic priorities for this Special Issue include but are not limited to:

Nanotechnology for antibacterials and antimicrobials.
The use of nanomaterials, including nanoparticles and nanocoatings, for antibacterials and antimicrobials from biosystems;
Interactions between bacterials, microbials, cells, and biomaterials that occur via the surface characteristics using nanotechnology;
The treatment of water and wastewater for the removal of contaminants, including those of biological origin.

Prof. Dr. Yin-Yu Chang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nanotechnology
antibacterial
antimicrobial
nanomaterials
nanoparticles

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insight in Superiority of the Hydrophobized Gentamycin in Terms of Antibiotics Delivery to Bone Tissue

by Konrad Kwiecień, Iwona Pudełko, Karolina Knap, Katarzyna Reczyńska-Kolman, Małgorzata Krok-Borkowicz, Dorota Ochońska, Monika Brzychczy-Włoch and Elżbieta Pamuła

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012077 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1614

Abstract

Bone infections are a serious problem to cure, as systemic administration of antibiotics is not very effective due to poor bone vascularization. Therefore, many drug delivery systems are investigated to solve this problem. One of the potential solutions is the delivery of antibiotics from poly(L-actide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles suspended in the gellan gum injectable hydrogel. However, the loading capacity and release kinetics of the system based on hydrophilic drugs (e.g., gentamycin) and hydrophobic polymers (e.g., PLGA) may not always be satisfying. To solve this problem, we decided to use hydrophobized gentamycin obtained by ion-pairing with dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT). Herein, we present a comparison of the PLGA nanoparticles loaded with hydrophobic or hydrophilic gentamycin and suspended in the hydrogel in terms of physicochemical properties, drug loading capacity, release profiles, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. The results showed that hydrophobic gentamycin may be combined in different formulations with the hydrophilic one and is superior in terms of encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, release, and antibacterial efficacy with no negative effect on the NPs morphology or hydrogel features. However, the cytocompatibility of hydrophobic gentamycin might be lower, consequently more extensive study on its biological properties should be provided to evaluate a safe dose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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15 pages, 3524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Efficiency Reducing Strain for Producing Selenium Nanoparticles Isolated from Marine Sediment

by Liying Zhang, Zhuting Li, Lei Zhang, Zhixiao Lei, Liming Jin, Jijuan Cao and Chunshan Quan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11953; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911953 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are all important for research because they exhibit a higher degree of absorption and lower toxicity than that of their organic and inorganic forms. At present, there are few reports on marine strains that can reduce Se(IV) to generate Se(0). In this study, a strain that reduces sodium selenite to SeNPs with high efficiency was screened from 40 marine strains. The SeNPs-S produced by the whole cells and SeNPs-E produced by the extracellular extract were characterized by FTIR, UV, Raman, XRD and SEM. Based on the results, the two kinds of SeNPs exhibited obvious differences in morphology, and their surfaces were capped with different biomacromolecules. Due to the difference in shape and surface coating, opposite results were obtained for the antibacterial activity of SeNPs-S and SeNPs-E against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both SeNPs-S and SeNPs-E exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL, but SeNPs-E retained lower cytotoxicity when its concentration increased to 200 μg/mL. This is the first report on the detailed difference between the SeNPs produced by whole cells and cell extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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18 pages, 4283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molasses-Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Optimization, Characterization, and Antibiofilm Activity

by Rabab A. Dorgham, Mohamed N. Abd Al Moaty, Khim Phin Chong and Bassma H. Elwakil

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810243 - 6 Sep 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1768

Abstract

Biofilms are matrix-enclosed communities of bacteria that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Adding nanomaterials with antibacterial activity to the implant surfaces may be a great solution against biofilm formation. Due to its potent and widespread antibacterial effect, silver nanoparticles were considered the most potent agent with different biological activities. In the present investigation, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were newly synthesized as antibiofilm agents using sugarcane process byproduct (molasses) and named Mo-capped AgNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles showed promising antimicrobial activity against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and C. albicans DAY185. Statistically designed optimization through response surface methodology was evaluated for maximum activity and better physical characteristics, namely the nanoparticles’ size and polydispersity index (PDI), and it was revealed that molasses concentration was the main effective factor. Minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of Mo-capped AgNPs against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and C. albicans DAY185 was 16 and 32 µg/mL, respectively. Scanning electron microscope study of Mo-capped AgNP-treated biofilm revealed that AgNPs penetrated the preformed biofilm and eradicated the microbial cells. The optimally synthesized Mo-capped AgNPs were spherically shaped, and the average size diameter ranged between 29 and 88 nm with high proportions of Ag⁺ element (78.0%) recorded. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the importance of molasses ingredients in capping and stabilizing the produced silver nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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16 pages, 3213 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioconjugated Thymol-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite as a Selective and Biocompatible Antibacterial Agent against Staphylococcus Species

by Joonho Shin, Atanu Naskar, Dongjoon Ko, Semi Kim and Kwang-sun Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6770; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126770 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2025

Abstract

Owing to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus species, effective and low-risk alternatives to antibiotics are being actively searched. Thymol (THO), the most abundant component of the oil extracted from thyme, can be considered as a natural antibacterial alternative. However, the low antibacterial activity and non-selectivity of THO limit its usage as a universal anti-Staphylococcus agent. Herein, we report the bioconjugation of THO with ZnO nanoparticle (ZO), which resulted in the TZ nanocomposite (NC), as a potent and selective antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus species, particularly S. epidermidis. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of ATCC 25923 cultures was employed for the production of TZ NC. Successful production of TZ NC was confirmed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) studies. TZ NC had selective efficacy against Staphylococcus species, with MIC values 2–32-fold lower than THO. The antibacterial mechanisms of TZ NC are proposed to involve membrane rupture, suppression of biofilm formation, and modulation of new cell wall and protein-synthesis-associated cellular pathways. Its biocompatibility against HCT116 cells was also checked. Our findings suggest that the TZ nanocomposite could improve the selectivity and bactericidal activity of THO against target species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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12 pages, 6008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial Activity of Copper Nanoparticles against Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria in Tomato Plants

by Adamantia Varympopi, Anastasia Dimopoulou, Dimitris Papafotis, Pavlos Avramidis, Ioannis Sarris, Theodora Karamanidou, Alexandra Kaldeli Kerou, Afroditi Vlachou, Eleftherios Vellis, Andreas Giannopoulos, Kosmas Haralampidis, Ioannis Theologidis, Dimitris G. Hatzinikolaou, Alexander Tsouknidas and Nicholas Skandalis

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(8), 4080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23084080 - 7 Apr 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3543

Abstract

Copper-based bactericides have appeared as a new tool in crop protection and offer an effective solution to combat bacterial resistance. In this work, two copper nanoparticle products that were previously synthesized and evaluated against major bacterial and fungal pathogens were tested on their ability to control the bacterial spot disease of tomato. Growth of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, the causal agent of the disease, was significantly suppressed by both nanoparticles, which had superior function compared to conventional commercial formulations of copper. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry measurements in tomato leaves revealed that bioavailability of copper is superior in the case of nanoparticles compared to conventional formulations and is dependent on synthesis rather than size. This is the first report correlating bioavailability of copper to nanoparticle efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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12 pages, 14117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Efficacy of ZnO Nanostructures against SARS-CoV-2

by Maria Chiara Sportelli, Margherita Izzi, Daniela Loconsole, Anna Sallustio, Rosaria Anna Picca, Roberto Felici, Maria Chironna and Nicola Cioffi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3040; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063040 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3386

Abstract

In 2019, the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), started spreading around the word, giving rise to the world pandemic we are still facing. Since then, many strategies for the prevention and control of COVID-19 have been studied and implemented. In addition to pharmacological treatments and vaccines, it is mandatory to ensure the cleaning and disinfection of the skin and inanimate surfaces, especially in those contexts where the contagion could spread quickly, such as hospitals and clinical laboratories, schools, transport, and public places in general. Here, we report the efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against SARS-CoV-2. NPs were produced using an ecofriendly method and fully characterized; their antiviral activity was tested in vitro against SARS-CoV-2, showing a decrease in viral load between 70% and 90%, as a function of the material’s composition. Application of these nano-antimicrobials as coatings for commonly touched surfaces is envisaged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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Review

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39 pages, 5330 KiB

Open AccessReview

Green Synthesis of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: A Review of the Principles and Biomedical Applications

by Denisa-Maria Radulescu, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Alexandru-Mihai Grumezescu and Ecaterina Andronescu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015397 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3060

Abstract

In recent years, interest in nanotechnology has increased exponentially due to enhanced progress and technological innovation. In tissue engineering, the development of metallic nanoparticles has been amplified, especially due to their antibacterial properties. Another important characteristic of metal NPs is that they enable high control over the features of the developed scaffolds (optimizing their mechanical strength and offering the controlled release of bioactive agents). Currently, the main concern related to the method of synthesis of metal oxide NPs is the environmental impact. The physical and chemical synthesis uses toxic agents that could generate hazards or exert carcinogenicity/environmental toxicity. Therefore, a greener, cleaner, and more reliable approach is needed. Green synthetic has come as a solution to counter the aforementioned limitations. Nowadays, green synthesis is preferred because it leads to the prevention/minimization of waste, the reduction of derivatives/pollution, and the use of non-toxic (safer) solvents. This method not only uses biomass sources as reducing agents for metal salts. The biomolecules also cover the synthesized NPs or act as in situ capping and reducing agents. Further, their involvement in the formation process reduces toxicity, prevents nanoparticle agglomeration, and improves the antimicrobial activity of the nanomaterial, leading to a possible synergistic effect. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the green synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, from the synthesis routes, selected solvents, and parameters to their latest application in the biomedical field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Antibacterials and Antimicrobials)

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