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Updated: Apr 4, 2026
11:52
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
4.2K
Nanoparticles as potential new generation broad spectrum antimicrobial agents
Clarence S Yah1,2, Geoffrey S Simate3
1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. cyah@nmmu.ac.za.
Summary
Nanoparticle antimicrobial agents offer a promising solution to combat drug-resistant infections and treat intracellular pathogens, overcoming limitations of conventional treatments. Their broad-spectrum activity and unique properties are revolutionizing medicine and reducing disease burden.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicates infection treatment and increases mortality.
- Conventional antimicrobials struggle to penetrate cell membranes, hindering treatment of intracellular pathogens.
- Intracellular pathogens persist within host cells, posing significant therapeutic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications of nanoparticle (NP) antimicrobial agents.
- To highlight the potential of NPs in overcoming limitations of conventional antimicrobials.
- To discuss the future prospects of multifunctional NP-antimicrobial agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NP-antimicrobial agents.
- Analysis of physiochemical and functionalization properties of NPs.
- Evaluation of NP efficacy in antimicrobial, sterilization, and wound healing applications.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticle antimicrobial agents exhibit broad-spectrum activity against resistant strains.
- NPs demonstrate efficacy as sterilization and wound healing agents.
- NPs show potential for sustained inhibition of intracellular pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle technology presents a potent strategy against antimicrobial resistance.
- NPs can effectively treat infections caused by intracellular pathogens.
- Multifunctional NP-antimicrobial agents are poised to revolutionize clinical medicine and reduce global disease burden.
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