Mendeley  

Zotero  

Noohi N, Abbasalipour M. (2024). Investigating the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of green synthesized silver and zinc nanoparticles with the aim of controlling the biodeterioration of cultural heritage. JRA. 10(1), 203-216. doi:10.61186/jra.10.1.414
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-414-en.html

Cultural heritage is always subject to biodeterioration by microorganisms, and their control and containment are essential. Metal nanoparticles can be a good option to solve this problem. Following the production and identification of silver and zinc nanoparticles by the green method, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles and their toxic effect on normal human cells for use in the field of cultural heritage. To investigate the antimicrobial effect of silver and zinc nanoparticles, 4 bacterial strains, B. subtilis, Ps.aeruginosa, B. licheniformis and Micrococcus and 5 fungal strains, Aspergillus, Penicillium Alternaria, Chaetomium, and Cladosporium were tested. For this purpose, agar diffusion and liquid dilution tests (to determine MIC) were performed, and in the next step, MBC (for bacteria) and MFC (for fungi) were determined. Also, the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated on HDF cell lines (normal skin cells) using the MTT method. Silver nanoparticles showed antimicrobial effect against all tested bacterial and fungal strains. Out of the 5 fungal strains studied, only Chaetomium fungus was sensitive to zinc nanoparticles, On the other hand, all tested bacterial strains except Ps. aeruginosa were sensitive to zinc nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles showed concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity against HDF, but zinc nanoparticles did not show a toxic effect on HDF cells. Among the two investigated nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have a high potential to be used as an antimicrobial agent. However, zinc nanoparticles can be considered as a suitable candidate for use against bacterial contamination. Considering the toxic effect of silver nanoparticles on normal human skin cells, this issue should be seriously considered during the process of disinfecting objects, in terms of preserving the health and safety of conservators and visitors.