Antibiofilm efficacy of a green graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite against mixed microbial species biofilms: An in-vitro and in-silico approach

Abstract

Biofilm-related infections contribute to 65-80% of all human microbial infections, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. They also have significant non-medical industrial impact, including fouling of ship hulls, clogging water filtration systems and affecting food safety. Substantial efforts have been dedicated to addressing this issue by developing biofilm-dispersing agents capable of releasing colonized microbial cells into a more susceptible planktonic state. or by looking for effective methods to prevent bacterial colonization in the first place. In this study, a biologically synthesized, non-toxic and eco-friendly reduced graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite (rGO/AgNPs) was applied to prevent microbial biofilm formation. The nanocomposite demonstrated potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against single and mixed bacterial fungal species such as Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and a fungal species (Candida albicans). Antibiofilm efficacy was confirmed through crystal violet assays and scanning electron microscopy, revealing significant biofilm biomass reductions (50–70%), while molecular docking studies indicated strong binding interactions with key biofilm-associated proteins. This research highlights the promise of greener, sustainable approaches to antimicrobial design, paving the way for applications in antifouling, infection control, and biofilm management across diverse sectors.