Abstract
The synthesis, characterization and assessment of the antibacterial properties of hydrophilic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were investigated with the aim to probe their suitability for innovative applications in the field of nanobiotechnology. First, silver nanoparticles were synthetized and functionalized with two capping agents, namely 3-mercapto-1-propansulfonate (3MPS) and 1-β-thio-d-glucose (TG). The investigation of the structural and electronic properties of the nano-systems was carried out by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). XPS data provided information about the system stability and the interactions between the metallic surface and the organic ligands. In addition, XPS data allowed us to achieve a deep understanding of the influence of the thiols stoichiometric ratio on the electronic properties and stability of AgNPs. In order to shed light on the structural and electronic local properties at Ag atoms sites, XAS at Ag K-Edge was successfully applied; furthermore, the combination of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and XAS results allowed determining AgNPs sizes, ranging between 3 and 13 nm. Finally, preliminary studies on the antibacterial properties of AgNPs showed promising results on four of six multidrug-resistant bacteria belonging to the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp.).
Highlights
Nowadays, the human ability to treat serious infections is threatened by the incessant evolution of antimicrobial resistance
The methodology is further described in Materials and Methods means of subtraction method
Hydrophilic AgNPs stabilized with TG and 3MPS mixed thiols were synthesized and extensively structurally characterized
Summary
The human ability to treat serious infections is threatened by the incessant evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp.) “escape” (are resistant to) the antibacterial activity of currently available antibiotics. Infections spread by these species represent a major public health threat. ESKAPE bacteria are dreaded in the hospital environment because of their responsibility in a variety of nosocomial infections. They show a dramatic tendency to pan-resistance, i.e., the resistance to all available antibiotics [1]. This results in higher morbidity and mortality, with huge social and economic costs [2]
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