Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposites Films Against Fish Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi.

ABSTRACT: Development of nanostructured films using natural polymers and metals has become a considerable interest in various biomedical applications. Objective of the present study was to develop silver nano particles (AgNPs) embedded chitosan films with antimicrobial properties. Based on the Ag content, two types of chitosan silver nano films, named as CAgNfs-12 (12 mM) and CAgNfs-52 (52 mM) were prepared and characterized. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images of two CAgNfs showed the circular AgNPs, which were uniformly embedded and distributed in the matrix of chitosan films. Antimicrobial experiment results clearly indicated that CAgNfs can inhibit the growth of fish pathogenic bacteria Vibrio (Allivibrio) salmonicida, V. tapetis, Edwardsiella tarda and fungi Fusarium oxysporum. Moreover, CAgNfs significantly reduced the experimentally exposed V. salmonicida levels in artificial seawater, suggesting that these CAgNfs could be used to develop antimicrobial filters/membranes for water purifying units to eliminate the pathogenic microbes.