Fabrication of Antibacterial Cellulose Nanofibers via Silver Nanoparticles

Year 2025, Volume: 53 Issue: 4, 75 - 82, 01.10.2025

Aykut Arif Topçu , Murat İnal , Monireh Bakhshpour-yucel , Necdet Saglam , Adil Denizli

Abstract

In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced on antibacterial cellulose nanofibers obtained from Acetobacter xylinum using sodium citrate through in situ formation. The produced nanofibers were then characterised using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analyses, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and swelling studies. Following the characterisation studies, the antibacterial performance of the nanofibers was investigated on gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial species. Spectrophotometer analyses revealed the formation of AgNPs in solution, and the zeta results indicated that the size of the obtained particles was around 150 nm. SEM analyses showed that AgNPs were successfully produced on cellulose nanofibers. Swelling tests displayed that AgNP loading reduced the water-retention capacity of cellulose nanofibers by up to five times. Antibacterial efficacy tests on cellulose nanofibers containing AgNPs demonstrated their effectiveness against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The rapid formation of AgNPs on cellulose nanofibers and their high antibacterial activity demonstrate their potential for practical applications in the field of health.

Keywords

antibacterial , bacterial cellulose , Acetobacter xylinum , silver nanoparticles , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus Aureus.

Ethical Statement

We declare that this study, uploaded to HJBC, is original and adheres to scientific ethics in all stages, including preparation, data collection, analysis, and presentation. All data and information not obtained within the scope of this study are properly cited in the bibliography. The data used has not been altered, and I have complied with the ethical duties and responsibilities by accepting all the terms and conditions of the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Supporting Institution

Kırıkkale University Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project number 2022/047)

Project Number

2022/047

Thanks

We would like to thank Dr. Nuran Erduran for the atomic absorption spectrophotometry analyses.

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