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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphilic Gold Nanoparticles
Published on: July 2, 2019
Cefotaxime Mediated Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity
Turki Al Hagbani1, Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi1, Talib Hussain2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 81442, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Cefotaxime (CTX) is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. However, like other third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, its efficacy is declining due to the increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Recent advances in nanotechnology have been projected as a practical approach to combat MDR microorganisms. Therefore, in the current study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared using cefotaxime sodium, which acted as a reducing and capping agent, besides having well-established antibacterial activity. The synthesized cefotaxime-loaded gold nanoparticles (C-AuNPs) were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM and DLS. In addition, the in vitro antibacterial activity of C-AuNPs was assessed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. UV-Visible spectroscopy verified the formation of C-AuNPs, while TEM and DLS verified their nano-size. In addition, CTX loading onto AuNPs was confirmed by FTIR. Furthermore, the colloidal stability of the synthesized C-AuNPs was ascribed to the higher net negative surface charge of C-AuNPs. Most importantly, the synthesized C-AuNPs showed superior antibacterial activity and lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, compared with pure CTX. Collectively, CTX was successfully adopted, as reducing and capping agent, to synthesize stable, nano-sized spherical C-AuNPs. Furthermore, loading CTX onto AuNPs could efficiently restore and/or boost the antibacterial activity of CTX against resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Insights
Researchers developed cefotaxime-loaded gold nanoparticles (C-AuNPs) to combat antibiotic resistance. These nanoparticles show enhanced antibacterial activity against resistant bacteria, offering a promising nanotechnology approach to overcome multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology and Drug Delivery
Background:
- Third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics like cefotaxime (CTX) face declining efficacy due to rising multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.
- Nanotechnology presents a viable strategy to overcome microbial resistance challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize cefotaxime-loaded gold nanoparticles (C-AuNPs) using cefotaxime sodium as a reducing and capping agent.
- To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of C-AuNPs against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, particularly MDR strains.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using cefotaxime sodium.
- Characterization of C-AuNPs using UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).
- Assessment of in vitro antibacterial activity and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of stable, nano-sized spherical C-AuNPs confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.
- C-AuNPs demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity and lower MIC values compared to pure cefotaxime against tested Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria.
- The colloidal stability of C-AuNPs was attributed to their higher net negative surface charge.
Conclusions:
- Cefotaxime can be effectively utilized as a reducing and capping agent for synthesizing stable C-AuNPs.
- Loading cefotaxime onto gold nanoparticles significantly enhances its antibacterial potency against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- C-AuNPs represent a promising nanomedicine approach to restore and boost the efficacy of existing antibiotics against resistant pathogens.
