FIG 2.

The bactericidal effect of AgNPs is independent of Ag⁺ and ROS. (A) Ag⁺ concentration released from AgNPs after incubation in LB medium and in cells for 12 h in dark or light conditions. (B and C) Intracellular ROS concentration after 30 min (B) and 60 min (C) of AgNP treatment under light. The cells treated with 2 mM H₂O₂ were used as a positive control. MFI, mean fluorescence intensity. (D) Extracellular H₂O₂ concentration after AgNP treatment under light for 30 min. (E) Intracellular O₂^.– concentration after AgNP treatment under light for 30 min. (F) tRNAs in E. coli treated with AgNPs of different concentrations and 15 min of light, resolved using PAGE. E. coli treated with 5 mM H₂O₂ was used as a positive control. Data are represented as means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.