Antibacterial Activity of In Situ Prepared Chitosan/Silver Nanoparticles Solution Against Methicillin-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND Investigation of new effective drugs against the methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an urgent issue of modern medicine. Antiseptics as an alternative of antibiotics are strong, sustained, and active preparations against resistant strains and do not violate microbiocenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The activity of in situ prepared chitosan-Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) solution with different component ratio was tested against MRSA isolated from patients. Ag NPs were synthesized via chemical reduction method using green chemistry approach. In order to improve antimicrobial activity and dispersibility of Ag NPs, surface modification of Ag NPs by cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) was performed. Ag NPs and chitosan-Ag NPs solution were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and spectrophotometric measurements. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The results of XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and TEM measurements confirmed the chemical composition of chitosan and Ag NPs and their high purity. Chitosan-AgNPs solutions have shown their superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to its pure forms. At the same time, in situ preparation of chitosan-Ag NPs solution (chitosan powder 6.0 μg/ml, Ag/CTAB NPs) was not possible due to the precipitation of the components. This result is very promising and may be considered as an effective solution in fighting against drug-resistant bacteria.