Nanocomposites with combined antimicrobials
Development of antimicrobial biopolymer-based
nanocomposite films like chitosan with silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) has long been attempted to exploit the strong antimicrobial function of silver ions. Silver ions are
expected to adhere to the negatively charged bacterial
cell wall, changing the cell wall permeability, which is
coupled with protein denaturation, induces cell lysis and
death. The antimicrobial activity of Ag ion is also related
to its ability to modify the DNA replication mechanisms
as well as to cause abnormalities in the size, cytoplasm
contents, cell membrane, and outer cell layers of sensitive
cells