Laser-Induced Transferred Antibacterial Nanoparticles for Mixed-Species Bacteria Biofilm Inactivation

Abstract

In the present study, copper and silver nanoparticles with a concentration of 20 µg/cm2 were synthesized using the method of laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT). The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against bacterial biofilms that are common in nature, formed by several types of microorganisms (mixed-species bacteria biofilms): Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Cu nanoparticles showed complete inhibition of the bacteria biofilms used. In the course of the work, a high level of antibacterial activity was demonstrated by nanoparticles. This activity manifested in the complete suppression of the daily biofilm, with the number of bacteria decreasing by 5–8 orders of magnitude from the initial concentration. To confirm antibacterial activity, and determine reductions in cell viability, the Live/Dead Bacterial Viability Kit was used. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that after Cu NP treatment, there was in a slight shift in the region, which corresponded to fatty acids, indicating a decrease in the relative motional freedom of molecules.