Bone reconstruction: Au nanocomposite bioglasses with antibacterial properties

Bioglasses are of wide interest since they spontaneously bond and integrate with living bone in the body. By varying the glass chemistry and/or by adding some dopants, it is possible to improve their clinical applications. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are a well-known antibacterial agent, as well as a unique probe for sensing and imaging applications. We report on the synthesis of a 58S bioglass doped with Au NPs at two doping levels: 0.1% wt. and 1% wt. Antibacterial properties were observed on the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, whereas no significant effects were found on the Gram-negative Escherichia coli. A possible mechanism of action of Au NPs towards bacteria has been described.