In vitro assessment of activity of graphene silver composite sheets against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus

Abstract

Purpose: To synthesize graphene-based silver nanocomposites and evaluate their antimicrobial and anti-Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus (TBSV) activities.
Methods: A graphene-based silver composite was prepared by adsorbing silver nanoparticles AgNPs to the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) sheets. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphology of the synthesized graphene-based silver nanocomposite. This compound was investigated for its antimicrobial activity against several multidrug-resistant human pathogens using the agar well diffusion technique. Moreover, the biocompatibility and antiviral activity of the graphene-based nanocomposite against TBSV was studied in lettuce.
Results: The graphene-based silver composite exhibited remarkable antimicrobial effects against pathogenic bacteria including Shigella sonnei and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zones of inhibition of 32 ± 0.11 and 29 ± 0.05 mm, respectively. They inhibited TBSV better than graphene and GO.
Conclusion: The synthesized graphene-based silver composite exhibits potent activity against TBSV and multidrug resistant bacteria, indicating that they are good candidates for future therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Graphene oxide, Graphene-based nanocomposite, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Multidrugresistant (MDR) human pathogens