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Synthesis and antimicrobial photodynamic effect of methylene blue conjugated carbon nanotubes on E. coli and S. aureus

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A Correction to this article was published on 01 February 2019

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Abstract

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are one of the leading causes of high morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The proper management, prevention and treatment of CRBSIs rely on the understanding of these highly resistant bacterial infections. The emergence of such a challenge to public health has resulted in the development of an alternative antimicrobial strategy called antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). In the presence of a photosensitizer (PS), light of the appropriate wavelength, and molecular oxygen, aPDT generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which lead to microbial cell death and cell damage. We investigated the enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of methylene blue conjugated carbon nanotubes (MBCNTs) on biofilms of E. coli and S. aureus using a laser light source at 670 nm with radiant exposure of 58.49 J cm−2. Photodynamic inactivation in test cultures showed 4.86 and 5.55 log10 reductions in E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Biofilm inhibition assays, cell viability assays and EPS reduction assays showed higher inhibition in S. aureus than in E. coli, suggesting that pronounced ROS generation occurred due to photodynamic therapy in S. aureus. Results from a study into the mechanism of action proved that the cell membrane is the main target for photodynamic inactivation. Comparatively higher photodynamic inactivation was observed in Gram positive bacteria due to the increased production of free radicals inside these cells. From this study, we conclude that MBCNT can be used as a promising nanocomposite for the eradication of dangerous pathogens on medical devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605 014, India

    Paramanantham Parasuraman, V. T. Anju & Siddhardha Busi

  2. Department of Physics, School of Physical, Chemical & Applied Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India

    SB Sruthil Lal & Alok Sharan

  3. UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Ridge, P O Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa

    K. Kaviyarasu

  4. Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), Materials Research Group (MRG), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation (NRF), 1 Old Faure Road, P O Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, 7129, South Africa

    K. Kaviyarasu

  5. Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed Arshad

  6. Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Turki M. S. Dawoud & Asad Syed

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  1. Paramanantham Parasuraman
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  2. V. T. Anju
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Correspondence to Asad Syed.

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Parasuraman, P., Anju, V.T., Lal, S.S. et al. Synthesis and antimicrobial photodynamic effect of methylene blue conjugated carbon nanotubes on E. coli and S. aureus. Photochem Photobiol Sci 18, 563–576 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp00369f

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