Review on Silver Nanoparticles as a Novel Class of Antibacterial Solutions

Abstract

Nanomaterials represent a promising novel class of materials to be used as antibacterial solutions. Inhomogeneity of synthesis and characterization methods, as well as resulting variate physical and chemical properties make selection of proper nanostructure difficult when designing antimicrobial experiments. Present study focuses on the already existing evidence regarding silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial applications, with focus on various modulatory factors of reported antimicrobial efficiency. Present paper focuses on synthesis and characterization methods, factors modulating antibacterial efficiency, laboratory quantification procedures, as well as up–to-date knowledge on mechanisms of antibacterial action for silver nanoparticles. Moreover, challenges and future prospects for antimicrobial applications of silver nanoparticles are reviewed and discussed.

Silver Nanoparticles Stable to Oxidation and Silver Ion Release Show Size-Dependent Toxicity In Vivo

“…There are over 1400 consumer and commercial products where silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are incorporated such as food packaging materials [1][2][3], waste-water treatment [4,5], topical ointments or wound healing gels [6][7][8][9][10], coatings on medical devices such as stents to prevent biofilm formation [11][12][13], paints, and anti-reflective coatings, and fabric cleaning chemicals [14][15][16]. The use of AgNPs in these applications predominantly rests on their superior antimicrobial properties [13,[17][18][19][20][21][22]. More recent studies suggest that AgNPs can be used as antiviral agents that have been used against HIV-1 or Hepatitis B [10,[23][24][25].…”

Counteraction of Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Potential of Terminalia catappa Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles against Candida albicans and Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria

“…Chemical, physical, and green methods can be used to produce AgNPs. The resultant nanoparticles have a variety of properties (surface chemistry, shape, and size) that affect their capacity to combat bacteria and fungi [ 26 ]. They represent a new research approach that focuses on a new class of materials with prospective applications in the biomedical, biological, and pharmaceutical fields, and they have shown considerable promise and implications in the treatment of bacterial infections.…”

“…They represent a new research approach that focuses on a new class of materials with prospective applications in the biomedical, biological, and pharmaceutical fields, and they have shown considerable promise and implications in the treatment of bacterial infections. Combining AgNPs with modest amounts of antibiotics has been suggested to boost their antimicrobial efficacy, providing outstanding results in vitro, and so holding potential for efficient in vivo bacterial eradication [ 26 ]. These nanoparticles and their ions exert antimicrobial activity by causing damage to the biofilm structure and components, as well as impairing bacterial metabolism via a variety of mechanisms [ 27 ].…”

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Entomopathogenic Fungi: Antimicrobial Resistance, Nanopesticides, and Toxicity

“…At the basis of the formation of AgNPs is the development of an oxidation reaction, where silver ions (Ag + ) are reduced by interaction with a reducing agent and are transformed into neutral atoms (Ag 0 ) (Figure 1). This reaction can be mediated by different reducing agents, through physical, chemical, or biological methods [26].…”

“…At the basis of the formation of AgNPs is the development of an oxidation reaction, where silver ions (Ag + ) are reduced by interaction with a reducing agent and are transformed into neutral atoms (Ag 0 ) (Figure 1). This reaction can be mediated by different reducing agents, through physical, chemical, or biological methods [26]. Physical methods, such as evaporation-condensation [27] and laser ablation [28], can be used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles; however, the necessary equipment occupies large spaces, presents a high expenditure of electrical energy, and the yield in Physical methods, such as evaporation-condensation [27] and laser ablation [28], can be used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles; however, the necessary equipment occupies large spaces, presents a high expenditure of electrical energy, and the yield in the final production is low, making its use for large-scale production disadvantageous.…”