Chitosan based silver nanocomposites (CAgNCs) display antibacterial effects against Vibrio ichthyoenteri

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of chitosan silver nanocomposites (CAgNCs) using pathogenic Vibrio ichthyoenteri as a bacterial model. Results of agar disc diffusion and turbidimetric assays showed that CAgNCs could inhibit the growth of V. ichthyoenteri in concentration dependent manner. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of CAgNCs were 75 and 125 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, CAgNCs treatment induced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in V. ichthyoenteri cells in concentration and time dependent manner, suggesting that it generates oxidative stress, leading to bacterial cell death. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images of CAgNCs treated V. ichthyoenteri exhibited strong cell membrane damage than un-treated control bacteria. MTT assay results showed the highest cell viability (22%) at 75 µg/mL of CAgNCs treated bacteria samples. The results from this study suggest that CAgNCs is a potential antibacterial agent to control fish pathogenic bacteria. © 2017, Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics. All rights reserved.