Antibiotics were developed to treat diseases by combating the bacteria causing them. Over time, bacteria built up resistance to seemingly antiquated antibiotics and development of new antibiotics was declining. Silver, which has been intensely studied and deemed an antimicrobial agent, when in a colloidal state, retains antimicrobial character. Due to these findings, scientists have looked to nanotechnology to help solve the issue of not being able to effectively fight bacteria. These properties in cooperation with antibiotics can perhaps synergistically enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics. This study tests the effects of chemically and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles and oxacillin on gram-negative bacteria to test for synergy with the antibiotic as well as comparison of microbial toxicity between the two types of nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using chemicals and plant extracts and, along with oxacillin, were applied to E.coli cultures in TSA broth. Growth of bacteria was then quantified using spectrophotometry.<br/>

Comparing the synergistic enhancement of antibiotic activity between biologically and chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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