Silver-Hydrogen Nanotubes Kill Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
- Authors
- Shabnam Yavari, Neda Eghtesadi, Kayode Olaifa, Darya Shafiee, Amir H Montazer, Reza Rasuli, Ebrahim Nemati-Kande, Forough Pakzadi, Sorour Faramarzi, Mehdi Shafiee
- Journal
- Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1155/bca/9270509
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- Health Condition
- Bacterial Infections
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Silver-decorated hydrogen molybdenum bronze nanotubes showed strong antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity by damaging bacterial membranes and interfering with key cellular proteins.
Summary
This study developed hydrogen molybdenum bronze nanosheets and silver-decorated nanotube derivatives and evaluated their antibacterial effects against Bacillus subtilis. While the base nanosheets were biologically inert, the silver-decorated nanotubes significantly inhibited planktonic growth, reduced biofilm formation, and partially eradicated established biofilms. Microscopy revealed membrane damage and biofilm disruption, consistent with oxidative stress and metal ion–mediated injury. Computational modeling further suggested that the materials interact with essential bacterial proteins involved in cell wall synthesis and cell division, forming stable noncovalent complexes. Together, these findings indicate that silver-decorated nanotubes exert antibacterial effects through combined membrane destabilization and intracellular protein interference, highlighting their potential for industrial biofilm control applications.
Abstract (excerpt)
Bacterial biofilms are a persistent challenge in industrial settings such as water treatment and food processing, contributing to antimicrobial resistance, operational inefficiencies, and environmental burden. Here, we report on the synthesis and multiscale evaluation of hydrogen molybdenum bronze…