Inhibitory Effect of Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles Produced by Bacillus licheniformis on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains (MRSA)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to produce bismuth oxide nanoparticles by Bacillus licheniformis PTCCI320 and to determine the antimicrobial effects on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus species compared with some antibiotics. Materials and Methods: In this study, 200 bacterial samples were collected from hospitalized patients with burn infections from the Burn Rescue Hospital in Tehran. Thereafter, 65 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were identified by their phenotype and genotype. A total of 92% of strains with the highest resistance to antibiotics were isolated. Bismuth oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by Bacillus licheniformis PTCC1320. FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the extracellularly produced nanoparticles. Finally, the antibacterial properties of nanopanicles produced on the biofilm of some pathogens were examined. Results: In the present study, cube-shaped bismuth oxide nanoparticles were formed in the size range of 29-62 nm. They were found to have antimicrobial activity on 16% of the strains. The FTIR results showed the vibrational frequencies of bismuth oxide at 583, 680, 737, and 1630 nm. The XRD results also confirmed the structure of nanoparticles. Compared with antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin, bismuth oxide nanoparticles had less affectivity on this resistant hospital pathogen. Increasing the concentration of bismuth oxide nanoparticles, increased its antimicrobial effect and decreased bacterial growth rate. Conclusion: Compared with heavy metals, bismuth nanoparticles have very low toxic effects. Considering this feature, the use of less antibiotics can be achieved with bismuth nanoparticles in the treatment of infections, thereby reducing antibiotic resistance.