| Abstract [eng] |
The increasing resistance of microorganisms to currently used antimicrobial agents requires the search for alternative treatments. One alternative to antibiotics and antifungal drugs could be silver nanoparticles (AgNP). AgNP have a complex antimicrobial effect on cells, simultaneously directly affecting various parts of the cell and its functions. Currently, most of the commercially available AgNP are obtained by physical and chemical methods, but these methods are expensive and environmentally unfriendly. As an environmentally friendly alternative, biological methods of AgNP synthesis are used. Although much is known about AgNP obtained using mesophilic organisms, there is still a lack of research on AgNP obtained using thermophilic organisms. AgNP obtained using thermophilic bacteria of the genus Geobacillus are investigated in this thesis. The mechanism of antimicrobial action of AgNP against bacteria and yeasts associated with human skin diseases was evaluated. The effect of these AgNP on cell membranes was determined, whether they cause oxidative stress, whether caspases are activated in yeast cells after exposure to AgNP – whether programmed death of yeast cells occurs. In addition, exposure to AgNP was combined with electroporation to reduce the toxic effects of AgNP for the first time. The cytotoxic effect of these AgNP on human keratinocyte cells was also investigated to determine whether AgNP obtained using thermophilic bacteria are safe for practical use. |
