Photochemical Synthesis of Silver Hydrosol Stabilized by Carbonate Ions and Study of Its Bactericidal Impact on Escherichia coli: Direct and Indirect Effects

The great attention paid to silver nanoparticles is largely related to their antibacterial and antiviral effects and their possible use as efficient biocidal agents. Silver nanoparticles are being widely introduced into various areas of life, including industry, medicine, and agriculture. This leads to their spreading and entering the environment, which generates the potential risk of toxic effect on humans and other biological organisms. Proposed paper describes the preparation of silver hydrosols containing spherical metal nanoparticles by photochemical reduction of Ag(+) ions with oxalate ions. In deaerated solutions, this gives ~10 nm particles, while in aerated solutions, ~20 nm particles with inclusion of the oxide Ag(2)O are obtained. Nanoparticles inhibit the bacterium Escherichia coli and suppress the cell growth at concentrations of ~1 × 10(−6)–1 × 10(−4) mol L(−1). Silver particles cause the loss of pili and deformation and destruction of cell membranes. A mechanism of antibacterial action was proposed, taking into account indirect suppressing action of Ag(+) ions released upon the oxidative metal dissolution and direct (contact) action of nanoparticles on bacterial cells, resulting in a change in the shape and destruction of the bacteria.