In the present study, copper and silver nanoparticles with a concentration of 20 µg/cm2 were synthesized using the method of laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT). The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against bacterial biofilms that are common in nature, formed by several types of microorganisms (mixed-species bacteria biofilms): Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Cu nanoparticles showed complete inhibition of the bacteria biofilms used. In the course of the work, a high level of antibacterial activity was demonstrated by nanoparticles. This activity manifested in the complete suppression of the daily biofilm, with the number of bacteria decreasing by 5-8 orders of magnitude from the initial concentration. To confirm antibacterial activity, and determine reductions in cell viability, the Live/Dead Bacterial Viability Kit was used. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that after Cu NP treatment, there was in a slight shift in the region, which corresponded to fatty acids, indicating a decrease in the relative motional freedom of molecules.
Keywords: LIFT; antibacterial nanoparticles; bactericidal effect; mixed-species bacterial biofilms.