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Abstract

Conclusions

Methods and Materials

Results

Acknowledgements

The program and contents of this poster were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (HSI STEM Grant – Title III Part F – Award # P031C160154). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the U.S. Federal Government.

The application of silver ions (Ag+) against Staph. and E. Coli inhibits bacterial growth, while copper ions (Cu2+) do not. The nanoparticle application of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) against bacteria plates inhibits bacterial cell growth while CuNPs do not. Combining Ag-CuNPs in a solution inhibits bacterial growth more profoundly due to the synergistic properties of NPs.

AgNP Synthesis. To a beaker in an ice bath, add distilled water, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium borohydride, sodium citrate, and silver nitrate dropwise. CuNP Synthesis. To an Erlenmeyer flask, add buffer, polyvinyl alcohol, distilled water, and cupric chloride dihydrate. To the heated solution, add vitamin c (ascorbic acid). Add sodium hydroxide dropwise until the pH is adjusted to 4.0. Ag-CuNP Co-Synthesis. Prepare AgNP suspension and reproduce CuNP procedure in AgNP solution. Analysis. To determine the optimal concentration of nanoparticles as antibacterial agents, a UV-spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance of the particles. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to conduct a qualitative analysis of NPs. Microscale titration was conducted to determine the presence of charged ions in nanoparticle suspensions. A laser test was employed to determine if suspensions contained NPs.

After manipulating the concentration of AgNPs and CuNPs in a combined suspension, results show that a combination of 1:1 AgNPs/CuNPs is the most potent antimicrobial agent.

The antimicrobial and synergistic properties of Ag-CuNPs resulted as a more effective antimicrobial agent than individual AgNP and CuNP suspensions.

The future goal of this project is to synthesize a stable and reproducible nanoparticle suspension by utilizing Solid Phase Extraction and to test the applicability of NPs in other fields such as solar cells.

NP Combinations

Inhibition Zones - E. Coli (mm)

Inhibition Zones

- Staph. Aureus (mm)

50% Cu NP / 50% Ag NP

12

11

75% Cu NP / 25% Ag NP

11

5

25% Cu NP / 75% Ag NP

11

9

100% Cu NP / 0% Ag NP

8

0

0% Cu NP / 100% Ag NP

5

5

12 mm

Introduction

NPs have multiple real-world uses in biomedical research such as cancer treatments and nanotechnology. As an alternative to antibiotics, NPs are investigated as a possible antimicrobial agent due to their small size (≤ 100 nm) [1]. Historically, Ag antimicrobial applications have proven to be effective antimicrobial agents due to their positive charge against negatively charged microbial cell walls. Through the electrostatic interactions of opposite charges, nanosized particles can invade the microbial cell wall and interrupt essential cellular functions including denaturing microbial DNA and disrupting protein function [2].

Other studies have extensively investigated the potential of individual Ag and Cu microbial properties. This study focuses on the synergistic antimicrobial efficacy of Ag-CuNPs.

100% CuNP

100% AgNP

50% CuNP/50% AgNP

75% CuNP/25% AgNP

25% CuNP/75% AgNP

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We would like to thank the BCC STEM Director – Mr. Luis De Abreu for all his support for this research and preparation of this poster. We would like to thank the microbiology team researchers – Amy Kass Georges and Shayna Gentiluomo and the microbiology mentor – Dr. Luis Jimenez for their collaboration in the project. We would also like to thank the Bergen Community College STEM Grant, BCC STEM Department, and US Dept. of Education for their financial support.

Table. Inhibition Zones Against 5 Ag-CuNP Combinations

Figure 3. Mechanism of NP Action in Bacterial Cells

Figure 6. Ultraviolet Visible Spectrophotometer of Ag-CuNPs Compositions

Figure 2. AgNO3 and CuCl2 ᐧ 2H2O Molecular Structure

Figure 1. Ag and Cu Elemental Symbol

Future Directions

Antimicrobial and Synergistic Properties of Nanoparticles

Researchers: Su Isik; Sebastian Lidwin; Shakila Behzadi; Kevin Park

Mentor: Dr. Ara Kahyaoglu

Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ 07652

Figure 9. Ultraviolet Visible Spectrophotometer

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Figure 5. Titration Setup

Figure 7. Inhibition of Ag-CuNPs in Escherichia coli.

Figure 8. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Figure 4. Preparation of Ag-Cu NPs

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References

  1. Guilger-Casagrande, M., & Lima, R. (2019, October 22). Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Fungi: A Review. Frontiers. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00287/full
  2. Yin, I. X., Zhang, J., Zhao, I. S., Li, Q., May, M. L., & Chu, C. H. (2020, April 17). The Antibacterial Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Application in Dentistry. International journal of nanomedicine. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32368040/

Retrieved July 19, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/

Ag-CuNP Co-Synthesis

AgNP Suspension

Ag-CuNP Suspension

CuCl2 ᐧ 2H2O

AgNO3