Antibacterial Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Capped with Poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) Polymer

Abstract

Antibacterial potential of metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is considered to be influenced by their size and stability. In this study, the stable AgNPs capped with poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) or PSSMA were successfully synthesized by using a chemical reduction method. The PSSMA-stabilized AgNPs (PSSMA-AgNPs) were characterized and tested for antibacterial activity against eight bacterial strains. Transmission electron microscopic studies showed that PSSMA-AgNPs were monodisperse spherical particles with an average size of 5.21 nm. From bacterial growth curve studies, PSSMA-AgNPs exhibited an antibacterial effect on Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538p, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). Moreover, the Gram-negative bacteria were found to be more susceptible to the AgNPs.