The Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Listeria monocytogenes PCM2191 Peptidoglycan Metabolism and Cell Permeability.

Listeria monocytogenes is Gram-positive bacterial pathogen, a causative agent of food poisoning and systemic disease - listeriosis. This species is still susceptible to several conventionally used antibiotics but an increase in its resistance has been reported. For this reason the search for new, alternative therapies is an urgent task. Silver nanoparticles seem to be the promising antibacterial agent. Minimal inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticles was determined. Sublethal concentrations were used in study of nanosilver effect on cells lysis by estimation of the number of cells surviving the treatment with 0.25 or 0.5 of minimal inhibitory concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Autolysis of isolated peptidoglycan was studied by measuring the absorbance of preparation subjected to nanosilver treatment. Silver nanoparticles effect on L. monocytogenes envelopes permeability was determined by measuring the efflux of cF, DNA and proteins. It was demonstrated that nanosilver enhanced the lysis of L. monocytogenes cells and, to the lesser extent, autolysis of isolated peptidoglycan. The increase in the efflux of carboxyfluoresceine, DNA and proteins was also noted. The obtained results allow to postulate that L. monocytogenes peptidoglycan, constituting the main component of cell wall, is the target of silver nanoparticles activity against this pathogen.

Preparation and characterization of ZnO-PMMA resin nanocomposites for denture bases.

PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to investigate the antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against Candida albicans. Some attempts have been made to find out the best way to introduce ZnONPs into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin material and to determine some parameters of a newly formed composite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were manufactured and their basic physical parameters were determined (average particle size, density, specific surface area). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ZnONPs was determined for the Candida albicans standard strain. The average size of ZnO conglomerates in the monomer solution of PMMA resin was measured using a dynamic light scattering instrument. PMMA resin samples with incorporated ZnONPs were produced. The morphology of nanopowder and the newly formed composite was examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the roughness parameter of PMMA resin material was investigated before and after ZnONPs modification. RESULTS: Nanopowder with the average particle size of 30 nm, density of 5.24 g/cm3 and surface area of 39 m2/g was obtained. MIC was determined at the level of 0.75 mg/mL. The average size of ZnO conglomerates in the monomer solution of acrylic resin dropped by 11 times after ultrasound activation. SEM examination of a newly formed composite showed a successful introduction of ZnONPs confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in the biomaterial roughness before and after the modification of ZnONPs. CONCLUSION: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into acrylic resin used for the production of denture bases. The presence of nanoparticles with sizes below 100 nm was confirmed. Nevertheless a newly created composite needs to be further investigated to improve its homogeneity, and to check its microbiological properties, strength and biocompatibility prior to its possible clinical use.