Antimicrobial lipid capped copper sulfide nanoparticles display enhanced bactericidal effect against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Herein, cationic antimicrobial lipid, [2-((N-(2-hydroxyethyl)palmitamido)methyl)-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide], (cN16E) was reported for the first time as stabilizing agent in the preparation of copper sulfide nano particles (cN16E-CuS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of cN16E-CuS, and FTIR analysis revealed that the NPs were stabilized by cN16E. Transmission electron microscopy imaging showed that the NPs are in the size range from 6 to 8 nm. The cN16E-CuS exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii with a MIC of 62.5 mu M, which is two-fold lower than the MIC of pure cN16E. Mechanistic study showed that pure cN16E damages bacterial membranes, whereas cN16E-CuS produces additional effect through producing excess reactive oxygen species and exhibit superior antimicrobial activity at lower concentration.