The role of nanotechnology in combating biofilm-based antibiotic resistance

Many serious infections result from persistent microbial biofilms that do not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. Various therapeutic approaches have been developed and proposed to deal with this challenge. A potential method to treat these chronic infections is using nano-scale particles to combat microbial biofilm. Recently, the novel nanotechnology-based antimicrobials have been used to deliver antibacterial agents to kill planktonic bacteria, antibiotic-resistant species, and also biofilm structures. By combining the anti-biofilm activity of compounds with the unique properties of nanoparticles or functionalized surfaces with nanoparticles, enhanced anti-biofilm activities were observed. Such observations may represent an interesting approach for the medical field which opening new perspectives for the design of modified surfaces with potent anti-biofilm properties. Nanoparticles could easily penetrate the biofilm structure and target biofilm matrix constituents, selectively. The new insights into the application of nanoparticles in controlling microbial biofilm will be considered in this review. Lipid-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric-based formulations including hydrogels, polymeric microspheres/nanospheres, and smart polymers, have been successfully employed for delivery of antimicrobials. Surface modification of polymeric devices is another approach for combating bacterial biofilm. Additionally, inorganic carriers e.g. metal nanoparticles such as silver, copper, zinc, and their oxides will be discussed about their effects on biofilm populations.