Mechanism of action of silver nanoparticles
The silver nanoparticles show efficient antimicrobial property
compared to other salts due to their extremely large surface area,
which provides better contact with microorganisms. The nanoparticles
get attached to the cell membrane and also penetrate inside the
bacteria. The bacterial membrane contains sulfur-containing proteins
and the silver nanoparticles interact with these proteins in the cell as
well as with the phosphorus containing compounds like DNA. When
silver nanoparticles enter the bacterial cell it forms a low molecular
weight region in the center of the bacteria to which the bacteria
conglomerates thus, protecting the DNA from the silver ions. The
nanoparticles preferably attack the respiratory chain, cell division
finally leading to cell death. The nanoparticles release silver ions in the
bacterial cells, which enhance their bactericidal activity