New Generation of Antibacterial Products Based on Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is being used in the development of a new generation of antibacterial products. Learn more about this trend. In the last ten years, the potential uses for colloidal silver have expanded in several fields. For example, scientists have discovered that colloidal silver can be used in environmental protection, pharmacy, optical industries, bioenergy, biotechnology, and electronics. The focus on using colloidal silver for various purposes has also intensified within the field of medicine. Because of the antimicrobial properties of colloidal silver, recent research has explored the possibility of creating a whole new generation of antibacterial products based on colloidal silver. In fact, researchers from the Politehnica University of Timisoara completed an experiment and published a paper focusing on this exact topic. About the Experiment It has already been well established that silver particles have a biocide effect on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Researchers from the Politehnica University of Timisoara wanted to determine whether prepared colloidal silver could be used to produce an effective antibacterial product. Specifically, the researchers hoped to be able to create a medical bandage with antibacterial properties by adding a layer of colloidal silver to the cotton. To product the substance used in the experiment, the researchers used soluble starch as a reducing agent to obtain colloidal material from silver. The silver reduction process involved the use of ultrasonication, which was necessary to keep the reagents in proper contact. This process brings the liquid to a high temperature and pressure at various points, which modifies both physical and chemical properties. The end result was the synthesis of colloidal silver appropriate for use in the experiment. To test the effectiveness of the colloidal silver created, researchers performed toxicological tests using bacteria from the Bega River, which is a natural environment containing an array of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Test cultures were prepared on plates with different concentrations of colloidal silver. Control cultures were also prepared on plates that contained no colloidal silver. All plates were incubated for 48 hours before bacterial growth was measured. To measure bacterial growth, scientists counted the bacterial colonies on each plate, including the control plate. The goal of this part of the experiment was to establish the best colloidal silver concentration use on the bandages. Because it was determined that bacteria only grew when the colloidal silver concentration was below 50 mg L-1, this concentration was used for the remainder of the experiment. The proper concentration of colloidal silver was deposited via adsorption onto medical bandages. Researchers explored the influence of contact time and temperature on adsorption capacity, the kinetic mechanism for silver adsorption, equilibrium, adsorption isotherm and material characterization after silver adsorption so that each parameter could be optimized. To test the antibacterial effectiveness of the developed bandages, pieces of the material produced were placed in petri dishes and inoculated with bacteria. As expected, researchers found that bacterial growth was not present when the proper concentration of silver was used. Bacteria did grow, however, on plates with bandages that had not been infused with colloidal silver. What Does It Mean? The existence of this experiment and the results it produced are further evidence of the effectiveness of colloidal silver for different purposes. Based on the results of this experiment, it seems that adding colloidal silver to bandages may increase the effectiveness of these bandages at preventing infection and promoting healing of wounds. In fact, as observed in this experiment, the presence of a certain concentration of colloidal silver on bandages could potentially eliminate the risk of dangerous bacterial growth. Colloidal Silver Supplements Based on the results of this study and the constant interest in developing new products for the medical field using colloidal silver, many people wonder whether colloidal silver supplements could be beneficial in their everyday lives. In general, colloidal silver supplements are considered safe for consumption, as long as you are choosing a high-quality supplement and using it as recommended by the manufacturer. However, side effects can occur when taking colloidal silver, especially when you do not exercise this type of caution. People may use colloidal silver supplements for a variety of purposes, from boosting the immune system to dealing with the symptoms of a specific condition. However, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved colloidal silver for the treatment of any disease, so manufacturers are not permitted to make any such claims about their products. When taking colloidal silver, make sure that you are taking a true colloidal silver, as opposed to an ionic silver or silver hydrosol. Ionic silver and silver hydrosol products contain silver ions, which are more likely to build up in your body and cause side effects. In addition, when comparing colloidal silver products, look for a product that contained coated silver particles that are small and uniform in size. These properties will ensure that the colloidal silver particles are able to be processed and eliminated from your body safely, rather than building up in your organs and other tissues. Serious side effects are rare when a safe colloidal silver supplement is used in the proper amount. In fact, many people drink colloidal silver supplements on a daily basis to support their health. Always figure your dosage of colloidal silver based on the manufacturer's instructions, as different colloidal silver supplements come with different concentrations of silver particles. Never take colloidal silver in a dosage larger than the amount recommended by the product's manufacturer. If you experience side effects when taking colloidal silver, discontinue your use of the supplement. 1.Brent A. Bauer, M. (2017, September 06). The truth about colloidal silver. Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer- health/expert-answers/colloidal-silver/faq-20058061 2. Colloidal Silver. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/colloidal-silver 3. Dakal TC, Kumar A, Majumdar RS, Yadav V. Mechanistic Basis of Antimicrobial Actions of Silver Nanoparticles. Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1831. Published 2016 Nov 16. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01831 4. Pascu, B., Negrea, A., Ciopec, M., Davidescu, C. M., Negrea, P., Gherman, V., & Duteanu, N. (2020). New Generation of Antibacterial Products Based on Colloidal Silver. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 13(7), 1578. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071578 5.Pop, C. V. (n.d.). The Truth about Colloidal Silver and Gold. 6. Savchenko, M. (n.d.). Colloidal Silver Benefits: Myth or Reality? Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://flo.health/health- articles/lifestyle/nutrition/is-colloidal-silver-safe 7. Watson, K. (1984, September 28). What Is Colloidal Silver? Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/colloidal-silver