According to the PubMed database, the antimicrobial properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NP-TiO₂) have been described in over 1,000 articles since 2000, with a notable increase in publications dedicated to medical applications and the antimicrobial activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles, rising from 4% to 39% of the total number of publications between 2005 and 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of publications including the keywords "antibacterial" or "antifungal" has increased from 2% to 18%.
A recent study explores the antimicrobial potential of TiO₂ nanoparticles against multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major nosocomial pathogen responsible for infections that are difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics. The researchers used commercial Degussa-P25 TiO₂ nanoparticles, characterised by an average size of 25 nm and a mixed rutile/anatase phase, to assess their antimicrobial effectiveness in combination with third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, specifically Ceftazidime (CEZ) and Cefotaxime (CEF).
The strains of P. aeruginosa were isolated from pus, sputum, the trachea, and bronchoalveolar lavages, and their resistance to antibiotics was confirmed by sensitivity tests showing resistance to several commonly used antibiotics. The TiO₂ nanoparticles were exposed to UV light to activate their photocatalytic properties, generating ROS such as hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) and superoxide ions (O₂⁻), known for their ability to lyse bacterial cell walls.
The results showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles exposed to UV light for an hour exhibited significant anti-microbial activity at concentrations higher than 350 µg/mL, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) established at 350 µg/mL. In combination with Ceftazidime, the TiO₂ nanoparticles demonstrated a synergistic effect, significantly enhancing the anti-microbial activity, while no similar effect was observed with Cefotaxime. This study suggests that TiO₂ nanoparticles, particularly when activated by UV light, could be a promising alternative for combating infections caused by multi-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, thus offering a new approach to overcome antibiotic resistance.
Furthermore, studies have shown that NP-TiO₂ can also act on fungi. For instance, IRSHAD & al. observed that TiO₂ nanoparticles inhibit the growth of the fungus Ustilago tritici at concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 µg/mL. These findings confirm that NP-TiO₂ exhibit a significant antimicrobial and antifungal potential, offering a possible alternative to conventional treatments for combating skin infections.