Highlights
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Cu nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 5.3 nm were studied.
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Cu nanoparticles showed excellent antimicrobial activities toward different kinds of microorganisms (E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans).
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The AFM results demonstrated distinct morphological changes in the cells wall of all tested strains.
Abstract
Copper (Cu) hydrosol containing small nanoparticles (NPs) (~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 atomic force microscope (AFM).
