Development of Multi-concentration Cu:Ag Bimetallic Nanoparticles as a Promising Bactericidal for Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria as Evaluated with Molecular Docking Study

Abstract

The present study is concerned with evaluating the influence of various concentrations of Ag within Cu:Ag bimetallic nanoparticles developed for use as a promising anti-bacterial agent against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, Cu:Ag bimetallic nanoparticles with various concentration ratios (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt%) of Ag in fixed amount of Cu labeled as 1:0.025, 1:0.050, 1:0.075, and 1:0.1 were synthesized using co-precipitation method with ammonium hydroxide and deionized water as solvent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a capping agent, and sodium borohydride and ascorbic acid as reducing agents. These formulated products were characterized through a variety of techniques. XRD confirmed phase purity and detected the presence of distinct fcc structures belonging to Cu and Ag phases. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of vibrational modes corresponding to various functional groups and recorded characteristic peak emanating from the bimetallic. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed reduction in band gap with increasing Ag content. SEM and HR-TEM micrographs revealed spherical morphology of Ag-doped Cu bimetallic with small and large scale agglomerations. The samples exhibited varying dimensions and interlayer spacing. Bactericidal action of synthesized Cu:Ag bimetallic NPs depicted statistically significant (P < 0.05) inhibition zones recorded for various concentrations of Ag dopant against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) ranging from (0.85–2.8 mm), (0.55–1.95 mm) and (0.65–1.85 mm), respectively. Broadly, Cu:Ag bimetallic NPs were found to be more potent against gram-positive compared with gram-negative. Molecular docking study of Ag–Cu bimetallic NPs was performed against β-lactamase which is a key enzyme of cell wall biosynthetic pathway from both S. aureus (Binding score: − 4.981 kcal/mol) and A. bauminnii (Binding score: − 4.013 kcal/mol). Similarly, binding interaction analysis against FabI belonging to fatty acid biosynthetic pathway from A. bauminnii (Binding score: − 3.385 kcal/mol) and S. aureus (Binding score: − 3.012 kcal/mol) along with FabH from E. coli (Binding score: − 4.372 kcal/mol) was undertaken. These theoretical computations indicate Cu-Ag bimetallic NPs as possible inhibitor of selected enzymes. It is suggested that exploring in vitro inhibition potential of these materials may open new avenues for antibiotic discovery.

The Activity of Vossia cuspidata Polysaccharides-Derived Monometallic CuO, Ag, Au, and Trimetallic CuO-Ag-Au Nanoparticles Against Cancer, Inflammation, and Wound Healing

“…They were non-toxic and TMNPs were the safest, as demonstrated in Table 2. The anti-cancer properties of Au, Ag, and CuO NPS as monometallic or bimetallic NPs were reported by many investigators such as Zhou et al and Hossen et al [16,45]. TMNPs have high catalytic activity compared to their bimetallic or monometallic nanoparticles [46].…”

Antibiotics Combinations and Chitosan Nanoparticles for Combating Multidrug Resistance Acinetobacter baumannii

“…The obtained results were in accordance with many recent studies conducted in 2021 on the antimicrobial activities of different nanoparticles either alone or in combination with other antimicrobials have proved activity against various pathogens. These included, Casein-silver NPs combined with TGC against A. baumannii , 72 antibiofilm and anti-virulence potential of silver NPs against MDR A. baumannii , 73 Cu:Ag bimetallic NPs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, 74 Lignin-Capped silver NPs, 75 Smaller Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against MDR Bacteria, 76 colistin-integrated chitosan nanoparticles. 77 Our results revealed that CNPs when combined with MEM significantly increased the susceptibilities of the MDR A. baumannii isolates by 100% as compared to MEM alone.…”

Thiosemicarbazide functionalized carbon quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for the determination of some oxicams: application to dosage forms and biological fluids

“…The hydrophilic functional groups capped on the surface of N, S-CQDs are responsible for their water solubility. 52,53 FT-IR analysis of N, S-CQDs surface show different functional groups [54][55][56][57] as illustrated in Fig. 4.…”