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Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Microemulsions Against Aspergillus niger and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
Mayson H Alkhatib1, Magda M Aly2, Rajaa A Rahbeni1
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Microemulsions (MEs), which consist of oil, water, surfactants, and cosurfactants, have recently generated considerable interest as antimicrobial agents.
Objectives:
To determine the antifungal and antiviral activities of three ME formulations (MEa, MEb, and MEc) that differ in their hydrophilicity.
Methods:
The ME formulas were produced by mixing different fractions of Tween 80, Span 20, ethanol, oil, isopropyl myristate, and distilled water. The antifungal activity of the ME formulas against Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Bacillus, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata were determined by the solid medium diffusion cytotoxicity test against the mitochondria, measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration, dry biomass, and leakage of potassium, and characterizing the cell morphology. The antiviral activities of the ME formulas against the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were determined using the cytopathic effect assay.
Results:
Significant antimicrobial activities were recorded against A. niger and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) when treated with MEb that had hydrophobic nanodroplets with an average diameter of 4.7 ± 1.22 nm. A volume of 0.1 mL of MEb (10 mL of potato dextrose broth) inhibited the germination of A. niger cells, reduced their dry biomass, enhanced the leakage of potassium from the cell membranes, affected their mitochondria, and altered the shape of their conidia, in addition to enlarging them. MEb was able to destroy the HSV-2 virus at a 200-fold dilution in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium.
Conclusions:
The water-in-oil ME with equivalent surfactant-to-oil ratio (MEb) has great potential as an antifungal and antiviral agent.
Insights
Microemulsions (MEs) show promise as antimicrobial agents. A specific formulation, MEb, demonstrated significant antifungal and antiviral effects against Aspergillus niger and herpes simplex virus type 2.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Microbiology
- Virology
Background:
- Microemulsions (MEs) are complex systems composed of oil, water, surfactants, and cosurfactants.
- MEs are gaining attention for their potential as antimicrobial agents.
- This study investigates the antifungal and antiviral properties of specific ME formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antifungal and antiviral activities of three microemulsion (ME) formulations (MEa, MEb, MEc) with varying hydrophilicity.
- To identify the most effective ME formulation for antimicrobial applications.
Main Methods:
- Three microemulsion (ME) formulations (MEa, MEb, MEc) were prepared using Tween 80, Span 20, ethanol, isopropyl myristate, and distilled water.
- Antifungal activity was assessed against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Bacillus, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata using cytotoxicity tests, minimum inhibitory concentration, dry biomass, potassium leakage, and cell morphology.
- Antiviral activity was determined against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) using the cytopathic effect assay.
Main Results:
- Microemulsion MEb exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
- MEb, characterized by hydrophobic nanodroplets (4.7 ± 1.22 nm), inhibited Aspergillus niger germination, reduced biomass, increased potassium leakage, impacted mitochondria, and altered conidia morphology.
- MEb effectively inactivated HSV-2 at a 200-fold dilution.
Conclusions:
- The water-in-oil microemulsion (MEb) with an equivalent surfactant-to-oil ratio demonstrates substantial potential as an antifungal and antiviral agent.
- MEb's efficacy suggests its utility in developing novel antimicrobial therapies.
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