Photo-induced Antibacterial Activity Research Articles

Retracted: Silver Trimolybdate (Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O) Nanorods: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photo-Induced Antibacterial Activity under Visible-Light Irradiation.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/2260083.].

X-ray and UV Irradiation-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated Antibacterial Activity in Fe and Pt Nanoparticle-Decorated Si-Doped TiCaCON Films.

Bone implants with biocompatibility and the ability to biomineralize and suppress infection are in high demand. The occurrence of early infections after implant placement often leads to repeated surgical treatment due to the ineffectiveness of antibiotic therapy. Therefore, an extremely attractive solution to this problem would be the ability to initiate bacterial protection of the implant by an external influence. Here, we present a proof-of-concept study based on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the implant surface in response to X-ray irradiation, including through a layer of 3 mm adipose tissue, providing bactericidal protection. The effect of UV and X-ray irradiation of the implant surface on the ROS formation and the associated bactericidal activity was compared. The focus of our study was light-sensitive Si-doped TiCaCON films decorated with Fe and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with photoinduced antibacterial activity mediated by ROS. In the visible and infrared range of 300-1600 nm, the films absorb more than 60% of the incident light. The high light absorption capacity of TiO2/TiC and TiO2/TiN heterostructures was demonstrated by density functional theory calculations. After short-term (5-10 s) low-dose X-ray irradiation, the films generated significantly more ROS than after UV illumination for 1 h. The Fe/TiCaCON-Si films showed enhanced biomineralization capacity, superior cytocompatibility, and excellent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant hospital Escherichia coli U20 and K261 strains and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MW2 strain. Our study clearly demonstrates that oxidized Fe NPs are a promising alternative to the widely used Ag NPs in antibacterial coatings, and X-rays can potentially be used in ROS-regulating therapy to suppress inflammation in case of postimplant complications.

Molecular Barrels as Potential Hosts: From Synthesis to Applications

Self-assembled discrete molecular architectures that show selective molecular recognition within their internal cavities are highly desirable. Such hosts often show guest recognition through several noncovalent interactions. This emulates the activity of naturally occurring enzymes and proteins. Research in the formation of 3D cages of different shapes and sizes has progressed rapidly since the development of coordination-driven self-assembly and dynamic covalent chemistry. Such molecular cages find applications in catalysis, stabilization of metastable molecules, purification of isomeric mixtures via selective encapsulation, and even in biomedical applications. Most of these applications stem from the ability of the host cages to bind guests strongly in a selective fashion, providing a suitable environment for the guests to perform their functions. Molecular cages having closed architectures with small windows either show poor encapsulation or inhibit easy guest release while those with wide open structures fail to form stable host-guest complexes. In this context, molecular barrels obtained by dynamic metal-ligand/covalent bond formation techniques possess optimized architectures. With a hollow-walled cavity and two large openings, molecular barrels satisfy the structural requirements for many applications. In this perspective, we will discuss in detail the synthetic strategies for obtaining barrels or barrel-like architectures employing dynamic coordination and covalent interactions, their structure-based classification, and their applications in catalysis, storing transient molecules, separation of chemicals, and photoinduced antibacterial activity. We aim to highlight the structural advantages of molecular barrels over other architectures for efficiently carrying out several functions and for the development of new applications.

Cellulose acetate membranes loaded with combinations of tetraphenylporphyrin, graphene oxide and Pluronic F-127 as responsive materials with antibacterial photodynamic activity.

The development of polymeric fabrics with photoinduced antibacterial activity is important for different emerging applications, ranging from materials for medical and clinical practices to disinfection of objects for public use. In this work we prepared a series of cellulose acetate membranes, by means of phase inversion technique, introducing different additives in the starting polymeric solution. The loading of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), a known photosensitizer, was considered to impart antibacterial photodynamic properties to the produced membranes. Besides, the addition of a surfactant (Pluronic F-127) allowed to modify the morphology of the membranes whereas the use of graphene oxide (GO) enabled further photo-activated antibacterial activity. The three additives were tested in various concentrations and in different combinations in order to carefully explore the effects of their mixing on the final photophysical and photodynamic properties. A complete structural/morphologycal characterization of the produced membranes has been performed, together with a detailed photophysical study of the TPP-containing samples, including absorption and emission features, excited state lifetime, singlet oxygen production, and confocal analysis. Their antibacterial activity has been assessed in vitro against S. aureus and E. coli, and the results demonstrated excellent bacterial inactivation for the membranes containing a combination of the three additives, revealing also a non-innocent role of the membrane porous structure in the final antibacterial capacity.

Two-dimensional PtSe2 coatings with antibacterial activity

PtSe2, an emerging two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), has been considered as excellent electrochemical material however its photocatalytic properties are still unexplored. In the present work, antibacterial activity of few-layer PtSe2 coatings on glass substrate against Escherichia coli in dark and light irradiation conditions is reported. 2D PtSe2 layers were synthesized by selenization of pre-deposited Pt films using thermally assisted conversion (TAC) method. PtSe2 coatings with three different thicknesses were prepared by varying the Pt deposition time (Pt 3s, Pt 8s and Pt 10s), afterwards estimated by ellipsometric measurements to 7 nm, 9 nm and 12 nm, respectively. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed the diffraction peaks characteristic for PtSe2 with improving crystallinity when increasing the Pt deposition time. Similar tendency of increasing roughness was detected by measuring the surface topology using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The Raman spectra revealed typical PtSe2 modes, while a decrease of Se/Pt ratio and a transition from p-doped to n-doped PtSe2 for longer Pt deposition times was found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Examination of the PtSe2 band gap by spectroscopic ellipsometry showed a decrease from 0.77 to 0.64 eV upon increase of the Pt deposition time, well correlated with the UV-VIS transmitted spectra. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly hydroxyl radicals (OH) on the PtSe2 surface under light irradiation was demonstrated by EPR analysis. The antibacterial activity of PtSe2 coatings was investigated applying ISO standard procedure for semiconducting photocatalytic materials: (i) in dark, the antibacterial activity increased with the increase of Pt deposition time and the viability of the bacteria was reduced to 30% (Pt 3s) and 15% (Pt 10s) after treatment for 6 h. The effect was attributed to the increasing film thickness, roughness and surface coverage which facilitate the mechanical destruction of the bacteria cell; (ii) under light irradiation, the activity of PtSe2 (Pt 3s) was similar to that in dark showing low sensitivity to light. On the contrary, the PtSe2 (Pt 8s) and (Pt 10s) appeared very effective under light, with the bacteria viability after 6 h being only 7.3% and 1.2%, respectively. The observed photo-induced antibacterial activity was related to the synergy of several parameters, i.e. high crystallinity, semiconductor behavior and chemical composition. The present work opens the way for further investigation of PtSe2 as photoactive antibacterial material, the mechanism of its antibacterial activity and the possibility for application as antibacterial coating on transparent low-cost substrates.

Influence of the Hydrophobicity of Pluronic Micelles Encapsulating Curcumin on the Membrane Permeability and Enhancement of Photoinduced Antibacterial Activity.

Apart from its well-known activity as an antimicrobial agent, Curcumin (CURC) has recently started to arouse interest as a photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy of bacterial infections. The aim of the present study was to evidence the influence of the encapsulation of Curcumin into polymeric micelles on the efficiency of photoinduced microbial inhibition. The influence of the hydrophobicity of the selected Pluronics (P84, P123, and F127) on the encapsulation, stability, and antimicrobial efficiency of CURC-loaded micelles was investigated. In addition, the size, morphology, and drug-loading capacity of the micellar drug delivery systems have been characterized. The influence of the presence of micellar aggregates and unassociated molecules of various Pluronics on the membrane permeability was investigated on both normal and resistant microbial strains of E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The antimicrobial efficiency on the common pathogens was assessed for CURC-loaded polymeric micelles in dark conditions and activated by blue laser light (470 nm). Significant results in the reduction of the microorganism’s growth were found in cultures of C. albicans, even at very low concentrations of surfactants and Curcumin. Unlike the membrane permeabilization effect of the monomeric solution of Pluronics, reported in the case of tumoral cells, a limited permeabilization effect was found on the studied microorganisms. Encapsulation of the Curcumin in Pluronic P84 and P123 at very low, nontoxic concentrations for photosensitizer and drug-carrier, produced CURC-loaded micelles that prove to be effective in the light-activated inhibition of resistant species of Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.

Silver Trimolybdate (Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O) Nanorods: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photo-Induced Antibacterial Activity under Visible-Light Irradiation.

The present study reports the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial properties of silver trimolybdate (Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O) nanorods. The synthesis was performed using a conventional hydrothermal method. The sample was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–Vis–NIR diffuse reflectance, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The direct antibacterial activity was evaluated using the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). To assess the ability of Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O nanorods to modulate antibacterial resistance, the MIC of aminoglycosides was established in the presence of a subinhibitory concentration of this substance alone and associated with LED light exposure. The characterization of the sample indicated that the synthesis of silver trimolybdate generated nanometric crystals with rod-like morphology, without secondary phases. The treatment with Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O nanorods alone or combined with visible LED lights exhibited clinically relevant antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This nanostructure presented a variable antibiotic-modulating action, which was not improved by visible LED light exposure. Nevertheless, LED lights showed promising antibiotic-enhancing activities in the absence of Ag2Mo3O10.2H2O nanorods. In conclusion, silver trimolybdate dihydrate nanorods have antibacterial properties that can be photocatalysed by visible-light exposure. While showing the potential use to combat antibacterial resistance, the simultaneous combination of silver trimolybdate, visible LED lights, and antibacterial drugs should be carefully analysed to avoid antagonist effects that could impair the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy.

Fabrication of Rechargeable Photoactive Silk Fibroin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend Nanofibrous Membranes for Killing Bacteria.

Antibacterial materials that prevent bacterial infections and mitigate bacterial virulence have attracted great scientific interest. In recent decades, bactericidal polymers have been presented as promising candidates to combat bacterial pathogens. However, the preparation of such materials has proven to be extremely challenging. Herein, photoactive silk fibroin/polyvinyl alcohol blended nanofibrous membranes grafted with 3,3’,4,4’-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (G-SF/PVA BNM) were fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The premise of this work is that the G-SF/PVA BNM can store photoactive activity under light irradiation and release reactive oxygen species for killing bacteria under dark conditions. The results showed that the resultant G-SF/PVA BNM exhibited the integrated properties of an ultrathin fiber diameter (298 nm), good mechanical properties, robust photoactive activity and photo-store capacity, and great photoinduced antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus (99.999% bacterial reduction with 120 min). The successful construction of blended nanofibrous membranes gives a new possibility to the design of highly efficient antibacterial materials for public health protection.

Construction of BODIPY functional ZIF-8 with improved visible light-induced antibacterial activity

Developing novel bactericide and therapeutic strategy to inhibit bacterial –resistance has become the attractive research area. Light-activated nano-antibacterial agents have become the current research hotspot due to their multimodal antibacterial effect. However, the poor response to visible light and wide energy gap greatly reduce nano-material photo-induced antibacterial activity. Herein, a novel visible light-induced nano-antibacterial composite (BODIPY-ZIF-8) are constructed by introducing boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) into the framework of ZIF-8. BODIPY-ZIF-8 are found to be the microporous hollow spheres with specific surface area of 612.30 m2/g and exhibit extraordinary photo-induced antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus in comparison to the reported ZIF-8 based antibacterial agents. The successful introduction of BODIPY decreases the band gap energy and increases the light absorption, simultaneously BODIPY acts as a structure-directing agent of controlling the morphology of BODIPY-ZIF-8. The study of antibacterial mechanism indicates that BODIPY-ZIF-8 show synergistic antibacterial effect due to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under LED irradiation. The work not only provides a facile method for the preparation of antibacterial composite but develops a valuable strategy to the visible light-induced antibacterial agent.

Photoactivities of Two Vitamin B Derivatives and Their Applications in the Perpetration of Photoinduced Antibacterial Nanofibrous Membranes.

Photoactivities and photoinduced antibacterial functions of two vitamin B2 (VB2) derivatives, riboflavin (RF) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), were investigated by computational modeling and various experimental evaluations. Under photoirradiation, the ground state of both VB2 derivatives could be excited to generate different reactive oxygen species (ROS) by undergoing different reaction paths. The formed ROS could nonselectively inactivate microorganisms. However, both RF and FMN exhibited negligible photoinduced antimicrobial activity in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions even at high concentrations. The study revealed that the affinity of both RF and FMN to microorganisms in different application media plays a key role due to the very short lifetime of the generated ROS. The speculation was proven by the preparation of a poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE) nanofibrous membrane blended with RF or FMN, which could enhance the contact of the agents with microorganisms. The fabricated nanofibrous membranes containing both VB2 derivatives (VBNFMs) showed great photoinduced antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) (99.999% bacterial reduction) and Gram-positive Listeria innocua (L. innocua) (99% bacterial reduction) under 20 min of ultra-violet A irradiation. The photoinduced antimicrobial performances of RF/PVA-co-PE and FMN/PVA-co-PE nanofibrous membranes were comparable. Interestingly, the durability of the photoinduced antibacterial functions of the prepared VBNFMs was questionable, due to the photodegradation of VB2 in nanomaterials.

Light-controllable antibacterial composite films based on modified waterborne polyurethane

Economical and eco-friendly antibacterial functional materials with smart responses are desirable for numerous applications. Here, novel kind of light-controllable switch self-release reactive oxygen species (ROS) functional composite films based on waterborne polyurethane with photoinduced response are developed. A photoactive 3,3′-benzophenone dicarboxylate polyethylene glycol-4,4′dicarboxylic acid (BPPGA) chain extender is introduced into the framework of WPU to increase its solubility. The functionalized WPU releases ROS when irradiated by ultraviolet light. The photochemical reactions, ROS generation, and antibacterial activity of WPU films with different BPPGA contents are investigated. The frontier molecular orbitals and energy gap of the films are calculated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6−31 G (d) level. The thermal properties, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of the WPU films are evaluated. The BPPGA-modified WPU films exhibit excellent photoinduced antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli through ROS generation; the film with a BPPGA content of 30 % decreased S. aureus and E. coli concentrations by 99.57 % and 99.87 %, respectively. The light-controllable functional films have great potential as antibacterial composites coatings on textile surfaces.

Self-Assembled PtII8 Metallosupramolecular Tubular Cage as Dual Warhead Antibacterial Agent in Water.

Development of photosensitizer-based self-assembled metallosupramolecular architectures with important applications is an emerging trend in supramolecular chemistry. In this study, we report a new benzothiadiazole-based tetra-pyridyl ligand (L), which upon self-assembly with a cis-block 90° Pt(II) acceptor generated an unprecedented tetrafacial Pt(II)8 photoactive tubular molecular cage (PMB1). This cage could bring an extraordinary photosensitizer, benzothiadiazole, into water which is otherwise insoluble. PMB1 is fluorescent and shows photogeneration of singlet oxygen in an aqueous medium. These features make PMB1 a potent antimicrobial agent in water in both the presence and absence of light. In comparison to its building blocks and water-soluble alkylated charged ligand ([LMe4][4NO3]), the cage shows much enhanced photoinduced antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a representative of Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) as a representative of Gram-negative bacteria. PMB1 is successful at inactivating the bacterial growth via both photoactivation of molecular oxygen and membrane depolarization mechanisms, thus proving to be a dual warhead. Inactivation of bacteria in water using such a supramolecular architecture is noteworthy and can shed light on the generation of new antimicrobial supramolecular systems.

Zinc oxide‑selenium heterojunction composite: Synthesis, characterization and photo-induced antibacterial activity under visible light irradiation

The designing of new antibacterial agents with high and long-lasting activities are urgently needed in order to cope with the fast-emerging bacterial resistance. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) have shown a significant promise as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, and are efficient material in compromising bacterial membrane stability that leads to an increased cell permeability to nano-products. However, further engineering is required to improve their biological activities and to minimize their toxicity to healthy cells. In an attempt to resolve this issue, two semiconductor materials, ZnO and selenium (Se), were fabricated into a unique structural composite by a newly developed facile green method, and the designed composite was applied as an antibacterial nanomedicine. The developed methodology involves the initial preparation of ZnO, followed by its fabrication with Se at different temperatures (70 °C to 95 °C). Our experimental data showed that well defined interpenetrated crystalline Se network on ZnO (ZnO-Se) can be obtained at 80 °C for 180 min. The as-prepared ZnO-Se showed promising results in inhibiting the challenged bacterial strains under light irradiation (visible light) as compared to free ZnO. The enhanced biocidal property of ZnO-Se could be ascribed to its improved light-harvesting ability for sustainable induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an active contact killing mechanism. Thus, ZnO-Se composite with a novel architecture could be a promising material in the treatment of bacterial infections by a mutual antibacterial synergy from the incorporated elements. Interestingly, the ZnO-Se has the ability to scavenge the overproduction of hydroxyl radicals, thus protecting the healthy cells from oxidative damage.

Photoinduced antibacterial activity of NRC03 peptide-conjugated dopamine/nano-reduced graphene oxide against Staphylococcus aureus.

In recent years, several drugs have become relatively easy to obtain with the rapid development of the economy and improvement in people's living standards. However, pathogenic bacteria have evolved strains that are resistant to certain drugs, such as antibiotics. Peptides are generally considered to be safe, have high tolerance to drugs, and are easy to manufacture. However, peptides are easily decomposed in complex biological environments. To solve this problem, many studies have modified peptides on the surface of nanomaterials to increase their functionality, biocompatibility, and stability. Meanwhile, nanomaterials have exhibited good absorption of near-infrared (NIR) light. When the NIR laser is focused on nanomaterials, photons are absorbed and the energy of the photons is converted into heat. Low-toxicity NRC03 peptide-conjugated dopamine/nano-reduced-graphene oxide (NRC03-DA/nRGO) nanomaterials are synthesized in this study for antibacterial testing using photothermal technology. The strains used in this study were Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Our results indicated that the synthesized NRC03-DA/nRGO exhibits good absorption of NIR light and high photothermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, the synthesized NRC03-DA/nRGO inhibits the growth and survival of S. aureus. When the NRC03 peptide is modified on the surface of DA/nRGO, its biological stability is improved and the photothermal effect generated by NIR light produces additive effects, thereby indicating potential antibacterial applications.

Octahedral molybdenum cluster as a photoactive antimicrobial additive to a fluoroplastic.

Finding methods that fight bacterial infection or contamination, while minimising our reliance on antibiotics is one of the most pressing needs of this century. Although the utilisation of UV-C light and strong oxidising agents, such as bleach, are still efficacious methods for eliminating bacterial surface contamination, both methods present severe health and/or environmental hazards. Materials with intrinsic photodynamic activity (i.e. a material's ability upon photoexcitation to convert molecular oxygen into reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen), which work with light within the visible photomagnetic spectrum could offer a significantly safer alternative. Here we present a new, bespoke molybdenum cluster (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(CF3(CF2)6COO)6], which is both efficient in the generation of singlet oxygen upon photoirradiation and compatible with the fluoropolymer (F-32L) known for its good oxygen permeability. Thus, (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(CF3(CF2)6COO)6]/F-32L mixtures have been solution-processed to give homogenous films of smooth and fibrous morphologies and which displayed high photoinduced antibacterial activity against four common pathogens under visible light irradiation. These materials thus have potential in applications ranging from antibacterial coatings to filtration membranes and air conditioners to prevent spread of bacterial infections.

Functional modification of cellulose fabrics with phthalocyanine derivatives and the UV light-induced antibacterial performance

Cellulose fabrics were modified with a derivative of copper phthalocyanine (Reactive Blue C.I. 21) by dyeing method. The modified cellulose fabrics exhibited important photoactive property, such as the hydroxyl radicals-generating ability. The UV–vis spectrum, exhaustion rate, fixation rate and grafting quantity of Reactive Blue 21 on the cellulose fabrics were measured and calculated. The chemical structure and morphology of the modified cellulose were characterized. The amount of the produced hydroxyl radicals was measured and the photoactive mechanism was discussed. The UV light-induced antibacterial performance of the modified materials was measured. The modified cellulose exhibited photo-induced antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Photo-induced antibacterial activity of a porphyrin derivative isolated from the harmful dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama

The dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama is highly toxic to bivalves. However, significant toxicity to finfish species has not been reported. We previously found that H. circularisquama has light-dependent haemolytic agents. Purification and chemical structural analyses revealed that the haemolytic agent H2-a is a porphyrin derivative, which exhibits light-dependent cytotoxicity toward tumour cells. To clarify the biological activity of H2-a further, its antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated in this study. A fraction (F5) equivalent to H2-a purified from the methanol extract of H. circularisquama showed potent light-dependent bactericidal activity toward Staphylococcus aureus, and the activity was concentration- and light illumination time-dependent; however, Escherichia coli was highly resistant to F5. Electron microscopic observation suggested that F5 induces morphological changes in S. aureus in a light-dependent manner. Further analysis using other bacterial species showed that the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis was more sensitive than the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio alginolyticus. These results indicate that F5 is a photo-induced antibacterial agent with relatively higher specificity to Gram-positive bacteria. Iodometric assay suggested that singlet oxygen was generated from light-illuminated F5. Histidine, a specific singlet oxygen scavenger, markedly inhibited the photosensitising antibacterial activity of F5 against S. aureus, suggesting the involvement of singlet oxygen in antibacterial activity. The antibacterial spectrum of F5 was evidently different from that of 5,10,15,20-tetra (N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphyrin tetratosylate, a commercially available porphyrin compound with antibacterial activity. Our results demonstrate that H. circularisquama has a novel antibacterial photosensitiser, a porphyrin derivative, with relatively higher specificity to Gram-positive bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to discover a porphyrin derivative with antibacterial activity in marine microalga.

Bacterial adhesion and inactivation on Ag decorated TiO2-nanotubes under visible light: Effect of the nanotubes geometry on the photocatalytic activity.

This study investigates the effect of the diameter of TiO2 nanotubes and silver decorated nanotubes on optical properties and photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli under visible light. The TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) were prepared using the electrochemical method varying the anodization potential starting from 20 V until 70 V. The Ag nanoparticles were carried out using the photoreduction process under the same experimental conditions. The diameter size was determined using the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). TiO2-NTs diameter reached ∼100 nm at 70 V. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) imaging confirmed the TiO2-NTs surface decoration by silver nanoparticles. The Ag-NPs average size was found to be equal to 8 nm. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirm that all TiO2-NTs crystallize in the anatase phases regardless the used anodization potential. The decrease of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of Ag NPs decorated TiO2-NTs indicates the decrease of the specific area when the nanotubes diameter increases. The UV-vis absorbance show that the absorption edges was bleu shifted with the increasing of nanotubes diameter, which can be explained by the increase of the crystallites average size. The bacterial adhesion and inactivation tests were carried in the dark and under light. Bacteria were seen to adhere on TiO2-NTs in the dark; however, under light the bacteria were killed before they establish a strong contact with the TiO2-NTs and Ag/TiO2-NTs surfaces. Bacterial inactivation kinetics were faster when the anodizing potential of the NTs-preparation increases. A total bacterial inactivation was obtained on ∼100 nm nanotubes diameter within 90 min. This result was attributed to the enhancement of the TNTs crystallinity leading to reduced surface defects. Redox catalysis was seen to occur under light on the TiO2-NTs and Ag/TiO2-NTs. the photo-induced antibacterial activity on the AgO/Ag2O decorated TiO2-NTs was attributed to the interfacial charge transfer mechanism (IFCT).

Laser-Induced Antibacterial Activity of Novel Symmetric Carbazole-Based Ethynylpyridine Photosensitizers.

In this study, two kinds of novel carbazole-based ethynylpyridine salts: 3,6-bis[2-(1-methylpyridinium)ethynyl]-9-pentyl-carbazole diiodide (BMEPC) and 3,6-bis[2-(1-methylpyridinium)ethynyl]-9-methyl-carbazole diiodide (BMEMC) have been employed as photosensitizers owing to their excellent antibacterial activity. These molecules possess symmetric A−π–D−π–A-type structures, which would bring in the unique optical properties. The inhibition zone measurement of a gradient concentration from 0 to 100 μM showed BMEPC and BMEMC photoinduced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Diameters of zone of inhibition were up to 15 and 14 mm under laser irradiations. Under the exposure of the laser of 442 nm with a power density of 20 mW/cm2, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of BMEPC on E. coli were between 3.5 and 6.9 μM and that of BMEMC were between 9.4 and 18.8 μM, respectively. In the dark experiments as a control, the MIC value is between 6.9 and 13.8 μM for BMEPC, whereas it is between 187.5 and 225.0 μM for BMEMC. By the comparison of the MIC values of BMEPC and BMEMC with laser irradiation and in dark, the laser-induced toxicity on bacteria is more evident, though both of the derivatives have dark toxicity. With the laser irradiation duration of 30 s and 10 min for BMEPC and BMEMC, respectively, the survival rate of E. coli approximates zero. An antibacterial mechanism has been proposed based on the electron paramagnetic resonance characterization, which indicates that a nitride radical is generated under laser irradiation. The carbazole-based ethynylpyridine photosensitizers would provide high potential for further applications in photodynamic therapy.

Selective Photoinduced Antibacterial Activity of Amoxicillin-Coated Gold Nanoparticles: From One-Step Synthesis to in Vivo Cytocompatibility.

Photoinduced antibacterial gold nanoparticles were developed as an alternative for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Thanks to the amoxicillin coating, they possess high in vivo stability, selectivity for the bacteria wall, a good renal clearance, and are completely nontoxic for eukaryotic cells at the bactericidal concentrations. A simple one-step synthesis of amoxi@AuNP is described at mild temperatures using the antibiotic as both reducing and stabilizing agent. Time-resolved fluorescence microscopy proved these novel nano-photosensitizers, with improved selectivity, are bactericidal but showing excellent biocompatibility toward eukaryotic cells at the same dose (1.5 μg/mL) when co-cultures are analyzed. Their stability in biological media, hemocompatibility, and photo-antibacterial effect against sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated in vitro, whereas toxicity, renal clearance, and biodistribution were studied in vivo in male Wistar rats. The use of these nanoparticles to treat antibiotic-resistant infections is promising given their high stability and cytocompatibility.