Antimicrobial Activity of Metal and Metal-Oxide Based Nanoparticles

With an increase in antibiotic resistance, a growing interest in developing new antimicrobial agents has gained popularity. Metal- and metal-oxide-based nanoparticles, surface-to-volume is able to distinguish bacterial cells from mammalian cells and can provide long-term antibacterial and biofilm prevention. These nanoparticles elicit bactericidal properties through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are able to target physical structures, metabolic pathways, and DNA synthesis of prokaryotic cells leading to cell death. In this progress report, a critical analysis of current literature on antimicrobial effect of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles are examined. Specifically, the antimicrobial mechanisms of metal ions and metal nanomaterials are discussed. Antimicrobial efficiency of nanomaterials is correlated with the structural and physical properties, such as size, shape, and/or zeta potential. A critical analysis of the current state of metal and metal-oxide nanomaterial research advances our understanding to overcome antibiotic resistance and provide alternatives to combat bacterial infections. Finally, emerging approaches to identify and minimize metallic poisoning, specifically for biomedical applications, are examined.