Antimicrobial Activity of Metal and Metal‐Oxide Based Nanoparticles

TLDR

Increasing antibiotic resistance has spurred interest in new antimicrobials, and metal‑ and metal‑oxide nanoparticles can selectively target bacteria via ROS‑mediated damage to structures, metabolism, and DNA, offering long‑term antibacterial and biofilm prevention. This progress report critically reviews the antimicrobial effects of metal and metal‑oxide nanoparticles to advance strategies against antibiotic resistance and explores emerging methods to reduce metallic toxicity in biomedical applications. The authors discuss how metal ions and nanomaterials exert antimicrobial activity, linking efficacy to size, shape, and zeta potential, and evaluate approaches to mitigate metallic poisoning. The review concludes that metal and metal‑oxide nanoparticles, whose effectiveness depends on physicochemical properties, represent promising alternatives to combat bacterial infections and overcome resistance.

Abstract

Abstract With an increase in antibiotic resistance, a growing interest in developing new antimicrobial agents has gained popularity. Metal‐ and metal‐oxide‐based nanoparticles, surface‐to‐volume is able to distinguish bacterial cells from mammalian cells and can provide long‐term antibacterial and biofilm prevention. These nanoparticles elicit bactericidal properties through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are able to target physical structures, metabolic pathways, and DNA synthesis of prokaryotic cells leading to cell death. In this progress report, a critical analysis of current literature on antimicrobial effect of metal and metal‐oxide nanoparticles are examined. Specifically, the antimicrobial mechanisms of metal ions and metal nanomaterials are discussed. Antimicrobial efficiency of nanomaterials is correlated with the structural and physical properties, such as size, shape, and/or zeta potential. A critical analysis of the current state of metal and metal‐oxide nanomaterial research advances our understanding to overcome antibiotic resistance and provide alternatives to combat bacterial infections. Finally, emerging approaches to identify and minimize metallic poisoning, specifically for biomedical applications, are examined.