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Related Concept Videos

Formation of Complex Ions03:45

Formation of Complex Ions

A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control01:27

Chemical Agents for Microbial Control

Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection01:30

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration01:26

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties
11:19

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties

Published on: May 10, 2018

Silver as a disinfectant.

Nadia Silvestry-Rodriguez1, Enue E Sicairos-Ruelas, Charles P Gerba

  • 1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|August 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Silver is a long-standing antimicrobial agent increasingly used in new applications like water treatment and medical devices. Research is ongoing to fully understand its efficacy and long-term effects against diverse microbes.

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Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration: A “Green” Method for the Size Selection and Concentration of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles
12:47

Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration: A “Green” Method for the Size Selection and Concentration of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles

Published on: October 4, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties
11:19

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties

Published on: May 10, 2018

Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration: A “Green” Method for the Size Selection and Concentration of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles
12:47

Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration: A “Green” Method for the Size Selection and Concentration of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles

Published on: October 4, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Materials Science
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Silver possesses well-documented antimicrobial properties utilized for millennia.
  • Recent decades have seen expanded applications of silver in water treatment, dietary supplements, medical devices, and antimicrobial coatings.
  • Silver serves as an alternative disinfectant, mitigating issues like toxic by-product formation and surface corrosion associated with traditional disinfectants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical and contemporary applications of silver as an antimicrobial agent.
  • To explore the mechanisms of silver's antimicrobial action, particularly its antibacterial effects.
  • To identify knowledge gaps regarding silver's antiviral, antiprotozoal, and long-term usage impacts.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of historical and current research on silver's antimicrobial applications.
  • Analysis of reported mechanisms for silver's antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal effects.
  • Examination of studies reporting microbial tolerance and resistance to silver.

Main Results:

  • Silver's antibacterial mechanisms are extensively described, with observed efficacy against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
  • Antiviral and antiprotozoal mechanisms of silver remain less understood.
  • Microbial tolerance and resistance to silver have been documented.

Conclusions:

  • Silver remains an effective antimicrobial agent with diverse applications.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate silver's antiviral and antiprotozoal activities.
  • Long-term efficacy and safety assessments are crucial for emerging silver-based antimicrobial technologies.