Antimicrobial activity of a silver-microfibrillated cellulose biocomposite against susceptible and resistant bacteria

Abstract

Antibiotic Microbial Resistance (AMR) is a major global challenge as it constitutes a severe threat to global public health if not addressed. To fight against AMR bacteria, new antimicrobial agents are continually needed, and their efficacy must be tested. Historically, many transition metals have been employed, but their cytotoxicity is an issue and hence must be reduced, typically by combination with organic polymers. Cellulose of natural origin, especially those derived from unavoidable residues in the food supply chain, appears to be a good capping agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Herein, we describe a green synthesis method to produce a novel biocomposite, using ascorbic acid as reducing agent and microfibrillated cellulose as a capping agent and demonstrate this material to be an efficient antimicrobial agent. Silver nanoparticles were obtained in the cellulose matrix with an average size of 140 nm and with antimicrobial activity against both sensitive and resistant Gram positive (using 1500 ppm) as well as sensitive and resistant Gram negative (using 125 ppm) bacteria. Also, an inverted disk-diffusion methodology was applied to overcome the low-solubility of cellulose compounds. This novel silver nanoparticle-cellulose biocomposite synthesized by a green methodology shows the potential to be applied in the future development of biomedical instruments and therapeutics.

Aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase Type Ib [AAC(6′)-Ib]-Mediated Aminoglycoside Resistance: Phenotypic Conversion to Susceptibility by Silver Ions

“…Despite taking a backstage role after the advent of antibiotics, silver has been continuously used in different forms [1,2]. Furthermore, due to the multidrug resistance crisis, the utilization of silver as a component of combination therapies or other novel formulations has regained interest [3][4][5][6][7].…”

The Demand for New Antibiotics: Antimicrobial Peptides, Nanoparticles, and Combinatorial Therapies as Future Strategies in Antibacterial Agent Design

“…A novel silver-microfibrillated cellulose biocomposite has been synthesized, and its antimicrobial activity was determined against relevant clinical strains. The results showed that this biocomposite has antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria so that it could be applied in the development of biocompatible biomedical devices Garza-Cervantes et al, 2020a). Another promising approach toward the development of new antimicrobial combinatorial treatments is the use of transition metals, since they exhibit rapid and significant toxicity, at low concentrations, in different bacterial strains.…”

Opportunities for the Use of Brazilian Biomass to Produce Renewable Chemicals and Materials

“…Cellulose can also be removed from orange peel by microwave hydrothermal treatment. Thereafter, bactericide material can be produced by incorporating silver nanoparticles into the structure, showing strong activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria [232] …”