β-Ag₂MoO₄ microcrystals: Characterization, antibacterial properties and modulation analysis of antibiotic activity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
• Silver-based compounds have demonstrated antimicrobial properties, but their synergistic effects with existing antibiotics require further investigation.
• Developing new agents to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize beta-silver molybdate (β-Ag2MoO4) microcrystals.
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity of β-Ag2MoO4 alone and in combination with antibiotics.
• To analyze the modulatory effects of β-Ag2MoO4 on antibiotic activity against various bacterial strains.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis was employed to obtain β-Ag2MoO4 microcrystals.
• X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used for structural and morphological characterization.
• The microdilution method determined the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) to assess antibacterial and modulatory activities.

Main Results:

• β-Ag2MoO4 microcrystals exhibited a cubic spinel-type structure (Fd-3m).
• The compound demonstrated synergistic effects, enhancing antibiotic activity against *S. aureus* and *E. coli* (MDR strains).
• Antagonistic effects were observed with certain antibiotic-bacteria combinations, indicating complex modulatory interactions.

Conclusions:

• β-Ag2MoO4 possesses clinically relevant antibacterial activity.
• It can enhance the efficacy of certain antibiotics against MDR bacteria, offering a potential strategy to overcome resistance.
• The modulatory effects of β-Ag2MoO4 present a novel approach for combating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.