Effect of Ultrasound Treatment on Chitosan-Silver Nanoparticles Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Nanoparticles have good prospects as an alternative to antibiotics. Achieving the stability of nanoparticle solutions over time is one of the important tasks for researchers as well. Preparation of new antimicrobial release systems based on Ag NP and biological polymers will contribute to create effective antimicrobial agents. In current paper we evaluate antibacterial activity of chitosan-Ag NPs treated by ultrasound against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Ag NPs were synthesized via polyol method. 2% chitosan solution used to produce polymer-Ag NPs composite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used for NPs characterization. The antimicrobial activity of the Ag NPs and Ag NP/chitosan solution was tested against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli,. K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris and Candida spp. Pure Ag NPs demonstrate high antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms. The ultrasonic treatment of nanoparticles makes them more active in relation to gram-negative bacteria but sonicated composition of the Ag NPs and 2 % chitosan gel express the highest antimicrobial activity against all types of microorganisms.