Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials for Antimicrobial Applications

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Abstract
The interplay between nanotechnology and pathogens offers a new quest to fight against human infections. Inspiring from their unique thermal, magnetic, optical, or redox potentials, numerous nanomaterials have been employed for bacterial theranostics. The last decade has seen dramatic progress in the development of various nano-antimicrobials, which demands more focus on their safety assessment. The present review critically discusses the toxicity of nano-antimicrobials and the role of key features, including composition, size, surface charge, loading capability, hydrophobicity/philicity, precise release, and functionalization that can contribute to modulating the effects on microbes. Moreover, how differences in microbe’s structure, biofilm formation, persistence cells, and intracellular pathogens bestow resistance or sensitivity towards nano-antimicrobials is broadly investigated. In extension, the most important types of nano-antimicrobial with clinical prospective and their safety assessment are summarized, and finally, based on available evidence, an insight of the principles in designing safer nano-antimicrobials for overcoming pathogens and future challenges in the field is provided.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (2016YFA0201600, 2016YFE0133100)
  • Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GJHG1852)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (11621505)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (QYZDJ-SSW-SLH022)
  • Research and Development Project in Key Areas of Guangdong Province (2019B090917011)

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