Abstract
Metal and metal hybrid nanostructures have shown tremendous application in the biomedical and catalytic fields because of their plasmonic and catalytic properties. Here, a green and clean method was employed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle (Ag NP)-SiO2-Fe2O3 hybrid microstructures, and biomolecules from green tea extracts were used for constructing the hybrid structures. The SiO2-Fe2O3 structures were synthesized using an ethanolic green tea leaf extract to form Bio-SiO2-Fe2O3 (BSiO2-Fe2O3) structures. Biochemical studies demonstrated the presence of green tea biomolecules in the BSiO2 layer. Reduction of the silver ions was performed by a BSiO2 layer to form Ag NPs of 5–10 nm in diameter in and on the BSiO2-Fe2O3 microstructure. The reduction process was observed within 600 s, which is faster than that reported elsewhere. The antimicrobial activity of the Ag-BSiO2-Fe2O3 hybrid structure was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the nanostructures were further visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The magnetic properties of the Ag-BSiO2-Fe2O3 hybrid structure were used for studying reusable antimicrobial activity. Thus, in this study, we provide a novel green route for the construction of a biomolecule-entrapped SiO2-Fe2O3 structure and their use for the ultra-fast formation of Ag NPs to form antimicrobial active multifunctional hybrid structures.
Highlights
For the last seven decades since the discovery of antibiotics, their uncontrolled use has led to a generation of antibiotic-resistant strains that are unresponsive to currently available conventional antibiotics, creating a major concern for the health sector [1,2]
A detailed study of the antimicrobial activity of Ag NPs against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms was performed; it was demonstrated that the Ag NPs act by releasing Ag+ ions, which act on bacteria through reactive oxygen species [8]
The antimicrobial activity of the Ag NPs decreases with aggregate formation, where Ag NPs form a bulky material that makes it difficult for them to act on small bacteria and viruses [9,10,11]
Summary
For the last seven decades since the discovery of antibiotics, their uncontrolled use has led to a generation of antibiotic-resistant strains that are unresponsive to currently available conventional antibiotics, creating a major concern for the health sector [1,2]. Alternate therapeutic strategies have been studied for the last two decades, and several types of nanomaterials have been tested for their antimicrobial activity that is nontoxic to human and nonhuman hosts [5,6,7]. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been extensively studied because of their effective antimicrobial activity known since ancient times [8]. A detailed study of the antimicrobial activity of Ag NPs against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms was performed; it was demonstrated that the Ag NPs act by releasing Ag+ ions, which act on bacteria through reactive oxygen species [8]. Ag NPs are toxic to the bacteria and to mammalian cells, which is a major concern for the therapeutic use of Ag NPs [12]
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