Engineering copper nanoparticles synthesized on the surface of carbon nanotubes for anti-microbial and anti-biofilm applications

Biofilms adhere to surfaces to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). EPSs grow and protect themselves from external stresses. Their formation causes a foul odor and may lead to chronic infectious diseases in animals and people. Biofilms also inhibit the contact between bacteria and anti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanoscale 2018-01, Vol.10 (33), p.15529-15544
Main Authors: Seo, Youngmin, Hwang, Jangsun, Lee, Eunwon, Kim, Young Jin, Lee, Kyungwoo, Park, Chanhwi, Choi, Yonghyun, Jeon, Hojeong, Choi, Jonghoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology
Antibiotics
Antimicrobial agents
Biofilms
Biofilms - drug effects
Cell Line
Copper
Copper - pharmacology
Electric contacts
Electrical resistivity
Gene expression
Humans
Infectious diseases
Metal Nanoparticles
Methylobacterium - drug effects
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Microorganisms
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanostructure
Nanotubes
Nanotubes, Carbon
Oxidation
Synthesis
Thermal conductivity
Toxicity testing
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Summary:Biofilms adhere to surfaces to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). EPSs grow and protect themselves from external stresses. Their formation causes a foul odor and may lead to chronic infectious diseases in animals and people. Biofilms also inhibit the contact between bacteria and antibiotics, thereby reducing their antibacterial activity. Thus, we describe novel nanostructures, a fusion of copper and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which increase antimicrobial activity against biofilms without being toxic to human cells. Simulations based on the stochastic response were performed to predict the efficiency of synthesizing nanostructures. The synthesized Cu/MWCNTs inhibit the growth of Methylobacterium spp., which forms biofilms; antimicrobial testing and cytotoxicity assessments showed that the Cu/MWCNTs were not cytotoxic to human cells. The Cu/MWCNTs come in direct contact with the bacterial cell surface, damage the cell wall, and cause secondary oxidation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the Cu/MWCNTs release copper ions, which inhibit the quorum sensing in Methylobacterium spp., thereby inhibiting the expression of the genes that form biofilms. Additionally, we confirmed excellent electrical and thermal conductivity of Cu/MWCNTs as well as biofilm removal efficiency in the microfluidic channel.
ISSN:2040-3364
2040-3372
DOI:10.1039/c8nr02768d