PurposeThis work presents the preparation of a nanocomposite of ampicillin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and self-assembled rosette nanotubes (RNTs), and evaluates its antibacterial properties against two strains of drug-resistant bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus], methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]).Materials and methodsSmall, nearly monodisperse AuNPs (1.43±0.5 nm in diameter) nucleated on the surface of polyethylene glycol-functionalized RNTs in a one-pot reaction. Upon conjugation with ampicillin, their diameter increased to 1.86±0.32 nm. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite against S. aureus and MRSA was tested using different concentrations of ampicillin. The cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite was also tested against human dermal fibroblasts.ResultsBased on bacterial inhibition studies, the nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced antibiotic activity against both bacterial strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the nanocomposite against S. aureus was found to be 0.58 μg/mL, which was 18% lower than ampicillin alone. The nanocomposite also exhibited a 20 hrs MIC of 4 μg/mL against MRSA, approximately 10–20 times lower than previously reported values for ampicillin alone. In addition, at concentrations of 4 μg/mL of ampicillin (70 μg/mL of AuNPs), the nanocomposite showed negligible cytotoxic effects.ConclusionOur findings offer a new approach for the treatment of drug-resistant bacteria by potentiating inhibitory effects of existing antibiotics, and delivering them using a non-toxic formulation.