A Study on Developing Copper Nanoparticle and Peptide Conjugate – Microbiological Analysis of Conjugate against Drug Resistant Organisms

Marine peptides are antibacterial substances which are conjugated with copper nanoparticles to develop antibacterial agent with an aim of determining the microbiological analysis against drug resistant microorganisms. Synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using chemical reduction method was performed. Antimicrobial peptides were extracted from marine fish, Carangoides malabaricus (AMPs). Both agents were conjugated to develop the antibacterial agent (AMPs- CuNP conjugates). Antibacterial activity of AMPs-CuNP conjugates was evaluated against clinical pathogens. Using this conjugate, a novel dermal substitute was developed using fibroblast cell lines on wound healing spacer material. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of cell adhesion assay (L 929 epidermal cells) on the spacer materials was studied. Antibacterial activity and wound healing ability of the developed dermal substitute was investigated. The antibacterial activity of the developed conjugates exhibited inhibitory zones of 20.6 ± 1.25mm and 20.3 ± 1.04mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Morphological differences in the ways cells attach to the developed wound healing spacer, was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy. SEM images showed that the cells were firmly attached onto the developed mesh and the number of attached cells was found increasing with the increase in incubation period of time. Antibacterial activity of AMPs-CuNP conjugates coated wound healing spacer showed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited inhibitory zones of 32.3 ± 0.57mm and 34.3 ± 1.25mm. In vitro wound healing assay revealed that conjugates used for the cell adhesion studies was determined for its ability to improve wound healing by acting directly on L 929 mouse fibroblast cells. The findings of the research concluded that, this combination therapy two or more antimicrobials are blended at different combinations; so that the broader spectrum of activity is achieved at a lower concentration resulting in more effective therapy and decreased resistance.