Improved antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of magnesium fluoride nanoparticles obtained by water-based ultrasound chemistry

<p>Antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for new agents that can inhibit bacterial growth. We recently reported on the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of nanosized magnesium fluoride (MgF2) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized in ionic liquid using microwave chemistry. In this article, we describe a novel water-based synthesis of MgF2 NPs using sonochemistry. The sonochemical irradiation of an aqueous solution of [Mg(OAc)(2)-(H2O)(4)] containing acidic HF as the fluorine ion source afforded crystalline well-shaped spherical MgF2 NPs that showed much improved antibacterial properties against two common bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). We were also able to demonstrate that the antimicrobial activity was dependent on the size of the NPs. In addition, using the described sonochemical process, we coated glass surfaces and demonstrated inhibition of bacterial colonization for 7 days. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of MgF2 NPs against established biofilms was also examined. Taken together our results highlight the potential to further develop the concept of utilizing these metal fluoride NPs as novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents.</p>