Properties of silver nanoparticles in regard to the antifungal, antiba

Antimicrobial and antibiotic properties of

silver nanoparticles

Arunabh Mathur, Gautam Mathur

The antimicrobial and antibiotic properties of silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs): reviewing the research on inhibiting microbial activity

Paper: World of Nanoscience

Course: ETEC-162
Semester: II

By Arunabh Mathur, Gautam Mathur

Roll No.: ASU2020010100055, ASU2021010100079
Submitted on: May 31st 2022
Submitted to: Dr. Sonam Raheja

Abstract
In this era, when drug and vaccine development for the removal of various viral diseases is
riding high, some viral strains have emerged that are resistant against the drugs and vaccines,
like HIV. So it is important to introduce the multidisciplinary approaches with the classical
epidemiology, along with the clinical phases to introduce a new drug or vaccine which proves
highly beneficial against the resistant strain. Nanotechnology is the one that gives the
opportunity to re-discover biological properties of ancient antimicrobial and antiviral
compounds. Nanoparticles, mainly silver, have antiviral activities against the many viruses of
today that are playing havoc with lives worldwide. Extensive research and clinical trials need
to be carried out so as to accentuate the efficacy of this medical marvel towards betterment of
the health of the global population.

Acknowledgements
First and foremost, we would like to thank to our respective supervisor of this project, Dr.
Sonam Raheja for the valuable guidance and advice. She inspired us greatly to work in this
project. Her willingness to motivate us contributed tremendously to our project. We also
would like to thank her for showing us some example that related to the topic of our project.
Besides, we would like to thank the authority of Apeejay Stya University (ASU) for
providing us with a good environment and facilities to complete this project. Finally, an
honourable mention goes to my family and friends for their understandings and supports on
us in completing this project. Without helps of the particulars mentioned above, we would
face many difficulties while doing this.

Introduction
Silver is known to have exceptional antimicrobial properties, applicable to organisms
like bacteria and fungi. Nanoparticles synthesised of silver exhibit excellent antibiotic
behaviour. For several decades, silver has been studied for use in disinfection of various

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harmful microorganisms. A previous study reported on eco-friendly characteristics and strong
effects of silver ion chemicals. (Berger et al) reported on the antibacterial effect of silver ions.

Findings from some studies (Kim, et al, 2012) have demonstrated that bulk silver in an
oxygen-charged aqueous media will catalyse complete destructive oxidation of
microorganisms.
Data from this study provide valuable preliminary efficacy data on silver compounds for use
in control of plant pathogens. In this study, analysis of the inhibition effect of three different
AgNPs against various plant pathogenic fungi in vitro was done.
The results suggest that AgNPs are capable of inhibiting these pathogens; however, results
vary according to the concentration and type of AgNPs applied to pathogens. Most fungi
showed a high inhibition effect at a 100 ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles.
This article deals with a review of the applications of silver nanoparticles especially
regarding their antimicrobial properties. The review revolves around two research articles—
dealing with the antifungal properties of AgNPs, dealing with the virus inhibition property of
AgNPs.

Contextual background
Silver nanoparticles have been developed and applicable in several fields of
technology. A large number of these applications are in the field of biosciences.
Nanoparticles derived from metals like silver and gold exhibit exceptional antimicrobial
properties. Studies from Kim, et al (2012); and Khandelwal, et al (2014) have demonstrated
said properties on various species of fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Antimicrobial action of AgNPs

Silver nanoparticles are known to be good antibiotic agents. In this study, silver (Ag)
nanoparticles (∼6 nm) were synthesised using electro-exploding wire (EEW) technique.
Antibacterial action of Ag nanoparticles was studied both in liquid and solid phase using
colony-forming unit (CFU) detection. Time and dose-dependent study of Ag nanoparticles
shows that the effectiveness of particles increases with increasing particle dose and treatment
time. This effect was dose-dependent and more pronounced against Gram-negative bacteria
compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Transmission electron microscopy results show particle
binding with bacterial cell membrane. Membrane potential assay and cytoplasm diffusion
assay show the effectiveness of Ag nanoparticles used in this study.

Many improvements have been made in antiviral therapy, but due to ineffectiveness
new antiviral agents are urgently needed to fight these deadly viruses. Owing to the boost in
technology, frenzy is ongoing for the discovery and characterization of molecules required
for viral replication and the development of antiviral agents to inhibit them. Most viruses are
indeed provided with an extraordinary genetic adaptability, which has enabled them to escape
antiviral inhibition and in certain cases to regain advantage over the host by mutagenesis that
creates new viral strains with acquired resistance to most of the antiviral compounds

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available.
Virus infection is characterised by composite interactions between the virus and the
host cellular system. All viruses depend upon a host cell for their protein synthesis. As shown
in figure 1, first the binding of a virus to the host cell takes place and then the genome of
virus enters into the cytoplasm. This genome is liberated from the capsid and transcribed in
the cytoplasm or in the nucleus. Viral mRNA and proteins are synthesised. Next, the
replication of the viral genome takes place and assembly of progeny virions takes place with
the help of the viral structural proteins which are released from the cell. Each phase
represents possible inhibitory targets.

Viral inhibition can be carried out in every step of viral replication and expression.
Targeting the early step of viral infection is a promising approach because the site of the
action of the inhibitor is extracellular and accessible, but it is very difficult to target early
steps of virus attachment.
The field of nanotechnology is one of the most active areas of research in
contemporary materials science. Nanoparticles have completely new or improved properties
which are based on specific characteristics like size, shape, crystalline structure and
morphology. This field is emerging with new discoveries every day, making an impact on all
spheres of human life. The potential of nanoparticles and nanomaterials are emerging rapidly.
Silver in nanocrystalline form has found marvelous applications in the field of high
sensitivity bio molecular detection, disease and chemical diagnostics, antimicrobial and
therapeutic compounds, catalysis and micro-electronics. Nanoparticles have also been used in
consumer products, as well as electronics, sensors, munitions, and propulsion technologies.
Silver has been in use since time immemorial. However the use of silver for medicine
or as a local antibacterial agent was not recognized until the nineteenth century. Since then
the antimicrobial property of silver has been investigated and employed more extensively

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than any other inorganic antibacterial agent.
Silver again came into picture in the 1960s when Moyer introduced the use of 0.5%
silver nitrate for the treatment of burns. He proposed the antibacterial property of silver
against Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Escherichia coli. Silver nitrate was
merged with sulfonamide to form silver sulfadiazine cream, which was used as a broad-
spectrum antibacterial compound and was used for the treatment of burn victims. Silver
sulfadiazine is effective against bacteria like E. coli, S. aureus, Klebsiella spp., and
Pseudomonas spp.

The mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of silver is associated with its interaction with the thiol
group which is found as a functional group in the respiratory enzymes of bacterial cells.
Silver gets attached to the cell wall and membrane and then it inhibits the respiration process.
The silver nanoparticles show efficient antimicrobial properties as compared to other salts
due to their extremely large surface area.
This enables them to achieve better contact with the microbe in question. NPs get
absorbed into the cell membrane and also penetrate inside the bacteria. AgNPs interact with
sulphur containing proteins in the membrane as well as the phosphorus containing
compounds like DNA. After entering the bacteria, Ag forms a low molecular weight region in
the center of the cell due to which the bacteria conglomerate. The DNA replication is
inhibited due to its shielding with the Ag ions. The NPs attack the respiratory chain and
prevent the cell from dividing, causing cell death.
The small size of the NPs implies that it has a larger surface area to come in contact
with the bacterial cells and hence has a higher efficiency than larger particles.

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Research Papers

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Conclusions:
The silver nanoparticles when synthesized in accordance with the necessary size and structure
can have multiple and varying applications in many fields of biosciences, especially in the
antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. Said property has applications in viral and bacterial
inhibition and could lead to further developmental applications in prevention and cure of
bacterial, viral and fungal infections. This paper reviewed the studies and research exploring
this antimicrobial nature and its applications.

References:
1. N. Khandelwal, G. Kaur, N. Kumara , A. Tiwari School of Biotechnology, Rajiv
Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (2014) Application Of Silver Nanoparticles In
Viral Inhibition: A New Hope For Antivirals, Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and
Biostructures Vol. 9, No. 1, January - March 2014, p. 175 - 186.
2. Sang Woo Kim, Jin Hee Jung, Kabir Lamsal, Yun Seok Kim, Ji Seon Min & Youn Su
Lee (2012) Antifungal Effects of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Various Plant
Pathogenic Fungi, Mycobiology, 40:1, 53-58, DOI: 10.5941/MYCO.2012.40.1.053

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