Engineering nanosilver as an antibacterial, biosensor and bioimaging material

Nano silver is one of the major nanotechnology materials and products due to its unique antibacterial and plasma properties. However, the benefits of nanosilver need to be balanced against any adverse effects that may induce environmental and human health. Today, people have a reasonable understanding of the toxicity of nanosilver. Very small nanosilver particles (dp <10 nm) readily release ions from their oxidized surface, which is dominant in their antimicrobial properties. Larger particles emit much less ions so their bactericidal activity is likely to oxidize over time as bacteria or cells come in contact with their surface. This understanding will help to develop biomedical materials with bactericidal properties against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

The plasma and thermal properties of nanosilver are readily available in biological systems, provided that a sealed and durable coating is applied to the surface to promote the suspension. In this way, powerful biosensors and bioimaging agents can be developed to monitor biomolecules associated with chronic diseases and life-threatening diseases.

Given the well-understood and tightly controlled dimensions of nanosilver synthesis by scalable technology, further examples of their use and market will be found in biological applications. This understanding can help design and manufacture safer nanosilver products that have the performance necessary for the intended application while overcoming adverse harmful effects. This enables sustainable engineering nanomaterials to demonstrate the required performance and minimize the risk in a fairly "environmentally friendly" way.

Silver (Ag) nanomaterials (nano silver) are now widely used for their antibacterial activity. In healthcare, nanosilver has been used as an antibacterial agent like a bandage in wound dressings to protect patients suffering from severe burns from infection (Wijnhoven et al, 2009b). It is also used for catheters to prevent the formation of infectious biofilms (Rai et al., 2009, Silver 2006). As the price of medical applications for nanosilver goes down, their use is expected to increase. Nano silver is also used for consumer products such as sports woven fabrics, other fabrics, detergents and deodorants.

Microsoft Word - Final_Opinion_Health's exposure to Nano silver will be released on 13th June 2014. .docx

Nano silver is one of the major nanotechnology materials and products due to its unique antibacterial and plasma properties. However, the benefits of nanosilver need to be balanced against any adverse effects that may induce environmental and human health. Today, people have a reasonable understanding of the toxicity of nanosilver. Very small nanosilver particles (dp <10 nm) readily release ions from their oxidized surface, which is dominant in their antimicrobial properties. Larger particles emit much less ions so their bactericidal activity is likely to oxidize over time as bacteria or cells come in contact with their surface. This understanding will help to develop biomedical materials with bactericidal properties against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

The plasma and thermal properties of nanosilver are readily available in biological systems, provided that a sealed and durable coating is applied to the surface to promote the suspension. In this way, a powerful biosensor and bioimager can be developed to monitor biomolecules associated with chronic diseases and life-threatening diseases. Given the well-understood and tightly controlled dimensions of nanosilver synthesis by scalable technology, further examples of their use and market will be found in biological applications. This understanding can help design and manufacture safer nanosilver products that have the performance necessary for the intended application while overcoming adverse harmful effects. This enables sustainable engineering nanomaterials to demonstrate the required performance and minimize the risk in a fairly "environmentally friendly" way.