Nanoparticles and their antimicrobial properties against pathogens including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses

Mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of NPs against pathogens. NPs and their ions (e.g., titanium, silver and zinc) generate free radicals, and lead to induction of oxidative stress (i.e., reactive oxygen species; ROS). The generated ROS can damage and destroy the cellular components of the pathogens irreversibly, (e.g., membrane, DNA, protein and mitochondria), resulting in cell death.147