Since their discovery over a century ago, antibiotics have been the main treatment for treating bacterial infections. However, over time, pathogens can build up a resistance to the antibiotic, leading to treatment failure. One area of interest as an alternative to antibiotic medication is the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antibacterial agents. Currently, the exact mode in which AgNPs causes cell death in bacteria is unknown. A few theories suggest silver ions form when silver atoms are oxidized from the surface of AgNPs and then penetrate the cell wall and disrupt vital functions. The size and shape of AgNPs is known to affect the nanoparticles’ activity against bacteria. Our lab focuses on the effect of different surface charge of stabilizing agents on AgNPs’ cytotoxic effects against bacteria. Different stabilizing agents influence the number of Ag<sup>+</sup> ions in solution, which we monitor with ICP-OES, and is theorized to be the cause of cell death in bacteria. Characterization methods include UV-vis spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering for size, and Zeta potential for charge of the nanoparticles. In addition to characterization of the functionalized AgNP, we report clearance values from radial diffusion assays depicting the diameter of affected bacteria.

Investigating the role of surface charge on AgNPs for antibacterial activity

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.