Ag/Cu₂O nanocomposites as an alternative antimicrobial agent for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

Aim: To investigate the physicochemical properties and antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O synthesized by the polyol method.

Materials and Methods: The nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O were synthesized using the polyol method, followed by a study of their physicochemical properties. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of the nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O were investigated against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of bacteria S. aureus, E.coli, and P. aeruginosa.

Results: Nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O, were mostly spherical in shape and had an average size of 135.6±65 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presenceof Ag and Ag/Cu2O phases. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy revealed the following elemental composition: 13.05% silver, 31.81% copper, and 55.14% oxygen. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy suggested the potential presence of silver oxides in the structure. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values were as follows: for S. aureus, the minimum inhibitory concentration was 52.08±18.04 µg/ml, and the minimum bactericidal concentration - 72.92±47.74 µg/ml; for P. aeruginosa - 26.04±9.02 µg/ml, and 41.67±18.04 µg/ml, respectively; and for E. coli - 83.33±36.08 µg/ml, and 208.30±72.17 µg/ml, respectively. The nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O NCs also demonstrated antibiofilm activity, being effective against S. aureus at 3 and 5 times the minimum bactericidal concentration, against E. coli at 1, 3, and 5 times the minimum bactericidal concentration, and against P. aeruginosa at 5 times the minimum bactericidal concentration.

Conclusions: The nanocomposites Ag/Cu2O revealed high antibacterial and antibiofilm properties, which support their use as an alternative to conventional antibiotics in nanomedicine for treating multidrug-resistant infections.