Antimicrobial action and efficiency of silver-loaded zeolite X.

AIMS: To synthesize silver-loaded zeolite X and establish the extent to which it persist in its antimicrobial action against strains of Escherichia coli K12W-T, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB8295 and Staphylococcus aureus NCIMB6571. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antimicrobial action and efficacy of silver-loaded zeolite X on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. Zeolite X was synthesized and loaded with Ag(+) by ion exchange. This resulted in 2.0% (w/w) loading of Ag(+) in the zeolite framework and 5.8% (w/w) on the zeolite. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus suspended in tryptone soya broth were exposed to 0.15, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g l(-1) of silver-loaded zeolite X for a period up to 24 h. No viable cells were detected for any of the three micro-organisms within 1 h. Silver-loaded zeolite X, retrieved three times from the first exposure cultures, was washed with de-ionized water and added to fresh bacterial suspensions. The results showed that the silver-loaded zeolite X retained its antimicrobial action. CONCLUSIONS: Silver-loaded zeolite X persisted in its antimicrobial action against all three micro-organisms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results are significant for the longevity of antimicrobial action of silver-loaded zeolite X.