Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity evaluation of colloidal chitosan – silver nanoparticles – fluoride nanocomposites

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of colloidal chitosan – silver nanoparticle – fluoride nanocomposites (CChAgNpFNc), with different silver nanoparticle shapes and sizes. The syntheses of CChAgNpFNc were performed with silver nitrate added to a chitosan solution, addition of a sodium borohydride solution and solid sodium fluoride. Solution of ascorbic acid was added to synthesize larger silver nanoparticles. CChAgNpFNc obtained: S1 - 100% spherical, 8.7 ± 3.1 nm; S2 - 97% spherical, 15.0 ± 7.9 nm and 2.5% triangular, 22.2 ± 9.5 nm; S3 - 77.3% spherical, 31.8 ± 10.4 nm, 15.9% triangular, 27.1 ± 10.1 nm and 6.8% elliptical, 33.2 ± 7.8 nm; and S4 - 75.2% spherical, 43.2 ± 14.3 nm; 23.3% triangular 38.2 ± 14.8 nm, and 1.5% elliptical 38.4 ± 11.6 nm. The CChAgNpFNc showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, by microdilution technique. The influence on the growth of microorganisms was evaluated using a fluorescence assay, and showed an increasing lag phase and a decreasing log phase. Cytotoxicity was investigated using Artemia salina and MTT assays. The S3 and S4 samples exhibited low cytotoxicity. The S1 and S2 samples inhibited murine macrophages and revealed lethal dose concentrations above 1000 mg/mL that were classified as moderately toxic. Thus, CChAgNpFNc are potential options for the control of multiple-drug-resistant microorganisms and do not represent substantial risks to human health.