The Impact of Nanosilver Particles On Foot - Odor Producing Microbes

Nanosilver applications have been implicated in paint, plastic, textile and medical industries. Nanosilver particles absorb sweat and in turn avoid pungent smell of feet. The present study aims to determine the antibacterial activity of Ag-coated different sock fabrics and comparing their efficacy in reducing foot-borne resident bacteria. Synthesize of nanosilver particles was performed in various concentrations by wet reduction method using silver nitrate and tri-sodium citrate. Coating of different sock fabrics, cotton, nylon, and mixed cotton and nylon, was carried out by exposing these fabrics to various silver concentrations for 24 hrs. The antibacterial efficacy of the nanosilver-finished fabrics was checked by zone inhibition test and antibacterial test. The coated nylon fabric showed better antimicrobial activity than other fabrics. There was no significant difference found between antibacterial activity and type of fabric. Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited the smallest inhibition zone, and the inhibition zone increased with increasing silver concentration. The inhibition zones varied according to bacterial species, each species had its own minimum inhibition concentration. The percentages of reduction ranged between 18-80%. Sarcina lutea was highly sensitive to nanosilver particles. The effect of temperature, relative humidity, dirt and oil on the antibacterial activity of silver coated fabrics should be studied in the future.