Investigating the Antibacterial Activity of Nanoparticles Isolated from Hot Spring against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An Experimental Study

Nanoparticles are increasingly being used as antibiotics to target bacteria. In the present study, for the first time, natural mineral particles were extracted and identified from the Gishki hot spring, located in the south of Kerman province, Iran. Then, we investigated the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of nanoparticles that were in contact with two common hospital pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). To do this, we first prepared enough sample from the hot spring. After precipitation of mineral nanoparticles and homogenization by disk mill, we characterized nanoparticles, using XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, TGA, FESEM, FT-IR, and TEM methods. In the next step, we heated nanoparticles at 850 degrees C in order to determine the contribution of organic compounds and impurities contained in mineral nanoparticles. Then, we compared the data in two groups of without heat and with heat to remove impurities and organic compounds, as well as the bacterial properties and toxicity of nanoparticles through MTT assay. According to TEM results, the nanoparticles were less than 90 nm in size. Also, ICP-MS and XRF showed the presence of 56 elements with different concentrations in mineral nanoparticles in combination. Results of the present study show that inorganic nanoparticles do not have a lethal effect on healthy fibroblast cells, but they are able to kill Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Also, results show that the contribution of organic compounds and impurities is negligible, and most of the properties are due to nanoparticles. Overall, the results of our study show that some mineral nanoparticles obtained from hot springs that is proven to have antibacterial properties can be used to improve antimicrobial efficiency in the removal of distinct morphological pathogens in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

Automated summary

Researchers extracted and identified natural mineral particles from the Gishki hot spring in Iran. They studied the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of these particles when in contact with two common hospital pathogens. The results showed that the mineral nanoparticles were able to kill the bacteria and could potentially be used to improve antimicrobial efficiency in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.