Copper nanoparticles with high antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Copper (Cu) hydrosol containing small nanoparticles (NPs) (similar to 5 nm) with narrow size distribution were used to investigate antimicrobial activity toward representative microorganisms of public concern (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans). Microbial reduction measurements were performed as a function of CuNPs concentration, after 2 h of their contact. Surface and morphological alterations of the strains exposed to the Cu NPs were studied on the cellular level using an atomic force microscope (AFM).