Antibacterial action of lipidic nanoemulsions using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy on Escherichia coli

The present study demonstrates the mechanism of bactericidal effect rendered by cationic and non-cationic lipidic emulsions using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy. The AFM images of treated Escherichia coli cells indicated the conformational alteration from rod-shaped bacteria to a fluid-flattened structure with the presence of pore in the centre of bacterium, indicating the cell lysis. Root mean square roughness increased substantially due to exposure of underlying rugose peptidoglycan layer when treated with non-cationized lipidic nanoemulsions (NCLE). The cationised-lipidic-emulsion (CLE) treated E. coli cells frequently showed division septa along the length of E. coli which was not visible in non-cationised treated bacterial cells. The enhanced adhesion between CLE and negatively charged bacteria leads to lesser time required to kill the bacteria as compared to NCLE.