Figure 2.

Dynamics of E. coli ML-35p metabolic activity inhibition by AgNP-AMP/AP conjugates. Effects were compared to those of antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs and APs), gelatin-only coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ionic silver (AgNO₃). An actively metabolizing cell supplies the redox-sensitive marker resazurin with metabolic reducing agents, turning it into the fluorescent resorufin. An increase in fluorescence intensity thus indicates actively metabolizing bacteria. The tested concentration of the antimicrobials was equal to 4 × MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration); typical curves are shown.