Development of silver-doped copper oxide and chitosan nanocomposites for enhanced antimicrobial activities
Yasir Anwar1,2, Hisham Faiz Jaha1, Mazhar Ul-Islam3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant and pressing public health concern, posing serious challenges to effectively preventing and treating persistent diseases. Despite various efforts made in recent years to address this problem, the global trends of AMR continue to escalate without any indication of decline. As AMR is well-known for antibiotics, developing new materials such as metal containing compounds with different mechanisms of action is crucial to effectively address this challenge. Copper, silver, and chitosan in various forms have demonstrated significant biological activities and hold promise for applications in medicine and biotechnology. Exploring the biological properties of these nanoparticles is essential for innovative therapeutic approaches in treating bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, and other diseases. To this end, the present study aimed to synthesize silver@copper oxide (Ag@CuO) nanoparticles and its chitosan nanocomposite (Chi-Ag@CuO) to investigate their antimicrobial efficacy. Various established spectroscopic and microscopic methods were employed for characterization purposes, encompassing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, the antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was assessed through MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration), and well-disk diffusion assays against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans. The size of the CuO-NPs, Ag@CuO, and Chi-Ag@CuO NPs was found to be 70-120 nm with a spherical shape and an almost uniform distribution. The nanocomposites were found to possess a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 250 μg/mL. Moreover, these nanocomposites generated varying clear inhibition zones, with diameters ranging from a minimum of 9 ± 0.5 mm to a maximum of 25 ± 0.5 mm. Consequently, it is evident that the amalgamation of copper-silver-chitosan nanoparticles has exhibited noteworthy antimicrobial properties in the controlled laboratory environment, surpassing the performance of other types of nanoparticles.
Insights
Developing novel antimicrobial materials is crucial due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study synthesized silver@copper oxide (Ag@CuO) and chitosan nanocomposites (Chi-Ag@CuO), demonstrating significant antimicrobial efficacy against resistant bacteria and fungi.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antibiotics.
- Metal-containing compounds, particularly nanoparticles of copper, silver, and chitosan, show promise for combating drug-resistant infections.
- Exploring the biological properties of these nanomaterials is vital for developing innovative treatments for bacterial and fungal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize silver@copper oxide (Ag@CuO) nanoparticles and their chitosan nanocomposite (Chi-Ag@CuO).
- To characterize the synthesized nanomaterials using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the developed nanocomposites against a panel of pathogenic microorganisms.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Ag@CuO nanoparticles and Chi-Ag@CuO nanocomposites.
- Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Antimicrobial activity assessment via Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and well-disk diffusion assays against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Acinetobacter baumannii*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Staphylococcus epidermidis*, and *Candida albicans*.
Main Results:
- Spherical Ag@CuO and Chi-Ag@CuO nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 70-120 nm and uniform distribution were successfully synthesized.
- The nanocomposites exhibited a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 5 μg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of 250 μg/mL.
- Significant inhibition zones, ranging from 9 ± 0.5 mm to 25 ± 0.5 mm, were observed, indicating potent antimicrobial activity.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized silver-copper oxide and chitosan nanocomposites demonstrate significant antimicrobial properties.
- These novel nanomaterials show potential for overcoming antimicrobial resistance.
- The combined effect of silver, copper oxide, and chitosan in a nanocomposite formulation offers a promising approach for developing new antimicrobial agents.
