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Review
. 2024 Dec 25;14(1):5.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics14010005.

Green Silver Nanoparticles: An Antibacterial Mechanism

Ekaterina O Mikhailova  1
Affiliations
Review

Green Silver Nanoparticles: An Antibacterial Mechanism

Ekaterina O Mikhailova. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a promising tool in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. "Green" nanoparticles are especially valuable due to their environmental friendliness and lower energy consumption during production, as well as their ability to minimize the number of toxic by-products. This review focuses on the features of AgNP synthesis using living organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants) and the involvement of various biological compounds in this process. The mechanism of antibacterial activity is also discussed in detail with special attention given to anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities. The toxicity of silver nanoparticles is considered in light of their further biomedical applications.

Keywords: AgNPs; anti-biofilm activity; anti-“quorum sensing” activity; antibacterial activity; green synthesis; silver nanoparticles.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biosynthesis of AgNPs. (a) reduction by different biological sources; (b) nanoparticle’s growth; (c) stabilization and capping by plant, fungal or bacterial compounds.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The biosynthesis of AgNPs in bacteria with the participation of NADH-dependent reductase.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Capping agents from different biological sources.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The proposal mechanism of AgNP antibacterial activity.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Antibacterial activity of AgNPs. The AgNPs source is indicated by a dot (•).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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