Insights on the Antibacterial Activities of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles are referred to materials of 1-100 nm in size. These nanoparticles have many industrial, agricultural and medicinal applications.  Gold, zinc, silver and copper nanoparticles may be exploited in microbiology since they can interfere with their growth and inhibiting the process of infection, thus, can be used as novel antimicrobial agents.  The mechanism of action includes damaging the cell membrane, formation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of intracellular enzymes and may affect DNA replication. Their activity even as synergistic effect was illustrated by numerous research papers all over the world.