Antimicrobial effect of silver-doped phosphate-based glasses

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Phosphate-based glasses (PBG) are being explored for biomedical applications.
• Silver (Ag) is known for its antimicrobial properties.
• Investigating Ag-doped PBG for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver-doped phosphate-based glasses (PBG).
• To determine the minimum effective silver concentration for potent antibacterial effects.
• To assess the long-term silver ion release from PBG compositions.

Main Methods:

• Disk diffusion assays were performed against various bacterial and fungal strains.
• Studies on growth inhibition and viability were conducted for specific organisms.
• Dissolution rates of PBG with varying silver content were analyzed.

Main Results:

• PBG doped with silver demonstrated microbistatic effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.
• PBG with 3 and 5 mol% Ag were bactericidal against S. aureus and E. coli, and inhibited C. albicans growth.
• Increased silver content correlated with decreased glass dissolution rates and provided sustained silver ion release.

Conclusions:

• Phosphate-based glasses doped with 3 mol% silver exhibit potent antibacterial activity.
• These silver-doped PBG compositions are effective against a range of microorganisms.
• The materials offer sustained release of silver ions, indicating potential for long-term antimicrobial applications.