TY - JOUR
T1 - An antibacterial copper composite more bioactive than metallic silver
AU - Ben-Knaz Wakshlak, Racheli
AU - Pedahzur, Rami
AU - Menagen, Barak
AU - Avnir, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Although known for its biocidal activity, copper is still not considered as a viable alternative to silver in many of its biocidal applications, mainly because it is generally considered to be a milder antibacterial metal. As copper is much cheaper than silver (1/100), it is potentially more accessible to the health and hygiene needs of third-world countries, to large volume consumer products, and to large-scale agricultural and water treatment needs. Therefore, enhancing the biocidal efficacy of copper is a sought-after goal. We report a method for achieving this goal: by entrapping molecules of the biocidal agent chlorhexidine (CH) within a metallic copper metal powder, using a new materials methodology, the antibacterial efficacy of copper towards two model nosocomial opportunistic bacteria-the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis-is enhanced to provide a powerful antibacterial agent exceeding the activity of silver. ICP-MS elemental analysis and UV-spectroscopy indicated that the enhanced bactericidal effects of the synthesized composite, CH@Cu, are associated with the sustained release of both copper ions and CH, giving rise to synergistically enhanced activity.
AB - Although known for its biocidal activity, copper is still not considered as a viable alternative to silver in many of its biocidal applications, mainly because it is generally considered to be a milder antibacterial metal. As copper is much cheaper than silver (1/100), it is potentially more accessible to the health and hygiene needs of third-world countries, to large volume consumer products, and to large-scale agricultural and water treatment needs. Therefore, enhancing the biocidal efficacy of copper is a sought-after goal. We report a method for achieving this goal: by entrapping molecules of the biocidal agent chlorhexidine (CH) within a metallic copper metal powder, using a new materials methodology, the antibacterial efficacy of copper towards two model nosocomial opportunistic bacteria-the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis-is enhanced to provide a powerful antibacterial agent exceeding the activity of silver. ICP-MS elemental analysis and UV-spectroscopy indicated that the enhanced bactericidal effects of the synthesized composite, CH@Cu, are associated with the sustained release of both copper ions and CH, giving rise to synergistically enhanced activity.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84975266477&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1039/c6tb00719h
DO - 10.1039/c6tb00719h
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AN - SCOPUS:84975266477
SN - 2050-7518
VL - 4
SP - 4322
EP - 4329
JO - Journal of Materials Chemistry B
JF - Journal of Materials Chemistry B
IS - 24
ER -