Chitosan conjugated silver nanoparticles: the versatile antibacterial agents.

Chitosan is one of the most environmental purification functional natural polysaccharides that can successfully prohibit the reproduction and growth of harmful Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens and also control the toxic pollutants. Nowadays, pathogenic microorganisms have multidrug resistance to antimicrobial drugs; therefore, successful identification and management of contagious disorders has become a major impediment. For combating the multidrug resistances in microorganisms' the latest innovations in nanotechnology-based medications have released novel prospects. More attention has been paid to the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an effective antibacterial agent. Silver nanoparticles have been used to prevent and cure numerous contagions and disorders due to their strong bactericidal effects. Silver nanoparticles have high bactericidal and antimicrobial actions against methicillin-resistant bacterial strains, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, etc. The formation of nanoparticles from chitosan sources has been paid pronounced consideration due to hydrophilic characteristics, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. The first part of the literature highlights a general mechanism of antibacterial activity of chitosan, whereas the second part focus on the antibacterial activity of chitosan conjugated silver nanoparticles against broad-spectrum Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbial pathogens. Chitosan is selected as a protective mediator in the formation of silver nanoparticles because chitosan act as a stabilizing agent as well as the capability to sorb silver ions via chelation and ion exchange mechanisms. Chitosan conjugated silver-nanocomposites were suggested as coatings for food packaging, biomedical-engineering as well as wound-dressing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]