title: In vitro antibacterial properties of magnesium metal against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Bacterial infections are a costly sequela in any wound. The corrosion properties of 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 g of Mg metal were determined in Mueller-Hinton broth by serially measuring the Mg(2+) concentrations and pH over 72 h. In addition, the effect of Mg metal, increased Mg(2+) concentration and alkaline pH on the in vitro growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated in three separate experiments. The primary outcome measure for culture studies was colony-forming units/ml compared to appropriate positive and/or negative controls. Regardless of the mass of Mg added, there was a predictable increase in pH and Mg(2+) concentration. The addition of Mg and an increase of pH resulted in antibacterial effects similar to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic; however, a simple increase in Mg(2+) concentration alone had no effect. The results demonstrate an antibacterial effect of Mg on three common aerobic bacterial organisms, the mechanism of which appears to be an alkaline pH.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Duane A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shechtman
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Conzemius
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003343:Corrosion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D008274:Magnesium