Antimicrobial action and efficiency of silver-loaded zeolite X.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize silver-loaded zeolite X and establish the extent to which it persist in its antimicrobial action against strains of Escherichia coli K12W-T, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB8295 and Staphylococcus aureus NCIMB6571.


RESULTS
The antimicrobial action and efficacy of silver-loaded zeolite X on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. Zeolite X was synthesized and loaded with Ag(+) by ion exchange. This resulted in 2.0% (w/w) loading of Ag(+) in the zeolite framework and 5.8% (w/w) on the zeolite. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus suspended in tryptone soya broth were exposed to 0.15, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g l(-1) of silver-loaded zeolite X for a period up to 24 h. No viable cells were detected for any of the three micro-organisms within 1 h. Silver-loaded zeolite X, retrieved three times from the first exposure cultures, was washed with de-ionized water and added to fresh bacterial suspensions. The results showed that the silver-loaded zeolite X retained its antimicrobial action.


CONCLUSIONS
Silver-loaded zeolite X persisted in its antimicrobial action against all three micro-organisms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are significant for the longevity of antimicrobial action of silver-loaded zeolite X.
Kwakye-Awuah
Bright
B
Research Centre in Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK.
Williams
C
C
Kenward
M A
MA
Radecka
I
I
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D017641:Zeolites
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017641:Zeolites; D012834:Silver