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.
Perni
Stefano
S
Division of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK.
Piccirillo
Clara
C
Pratten
Jonathan
J
Prokopovich
Polina
P
Chrzanowski
Wojciech
W
Parkin
Ivan P
IP
Wilson
Michael
M
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