The antimicrobial properties of light-activated polymers containing methylene blue and gold nanoparticles.
We report the formation of polysiloxane polymers containing embedded methylene blue and gold nanoparticles incorporated by a swell-encapsulation-shrink method. These polymers show significant antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with up to a 3.5 log(10) reduction in the viable count when exposed for 5 min to light from a low power 660 nm laser. The bacterial kill is due to the light-induced production of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species by the methylene blue. Interestingly, the presence of 2 nm gold nanoparticles significantly enhanced the ability of the methylene blue to kill bacteria.
Division of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK.
Stefano
S
Perni
Clara
C
Piccirillo
Jonathan
J
Pratten
Polina
P
Prokopovich
Wojciech
W
Chrzanowski
Ivan P
IP
Parkin
Michael
M
Wilson
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006046:Gold / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012996:Solutions; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D006046:Gold; D008751:Methylene Blue