Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-known for their antimicrobial effects and several groups are proposing them as active agents to fight antimicrobial resistance. A wide variety of methods is available for nanoparticle synthesis, affording a broad spectrum of chemical and physical properties. In this work, we report on AgNPs produced by laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS), discussing the major features of this approach. Laser ablation synthesis is one of the best candidates, as compared to wet-chemical syntheses, for preparing Ag nano-antimicrobials. In fact, this method allows the preparation of stable Ag colloids in pure solvents without using either capping and stabilizing agents or reductants. LASiS produces AgNPs, which can be more suitable for medical and food-related applications where it is important to use non-toxic chemicals and materials for humans. In addition, laser ablation allows for achieving nanoparticles with different properties according to experimental laser parameters, thus influencing antibacterial mechanisms. However, the concentration obtained by laser-generated AgNP colloids is often low, and it is hard to implement them on an industrial scale. To obtain interesting concentrations for final applications, it is necessary to exploit high-energy lasers, which are quite expensive. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of the use of laser ablation synthesis for the production of Ag antimicrobial colloids, taking into account applications in the food packaging field.
Highlights
Due to their unique properties [1], metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for applications in several fields, such as medicine and the biomedical sciences [2,3], cosmetics [4,5], food and agriculture [6,7,8,9], electronics [10], energy science [11], and catalysis [12], providing significant improvements in each area
We focused on AgNPs, a very useful nanomaterial for active food packaging, paying particular attention to AgNPs synthetized by laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS)
After brief overviews of bioactivity pathways of AgNPs and of synthesis methods to produce silver nanocolloids, we focused on the LASiS
Summary
Due to their unique properties [1], metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for applications in several fields, such as medicine and the biomedical sciences [2,3], cosmetics [4,5], food and agriculture [6,7,8,9], electronics [10], energy science [11], and catalysis [12], providing significant improvements in each area. Antibiotics 2018, 7, 67 industrial processing, track them, and improve their preservation during storage To this aim, the use of antimicrobial metal nanoparticles is continuously increasing. The introduction of nanoparticles in a polymeric matrix aims to improve the properties of traditional packaging, e.g., containment and protection (ease of transportation and avoided leakage or break-up), foodstuffs preservation (protection against microbial contaminants, extended shelf-life), convenience (consumer-friendly products), and marketing and communication (real-time information about the quality of enclosed foodstuffs) [8]. AgNP-based nanocomposites are stable and offer slow release of silver ions in the surrounding medium, resulting in a long-lasting antimicrobial activity [8]. The pros and cons of this technique for the production of Ag antimicrobial nanocolloids will be critically discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
