Antimicrobial nutrient interactions

Silver nanoparticles. nanoparticles are well known antimicrobial agents, with the highly reactive silver (I) ion (Ag > interacting with the functional groups found on the microbial cell walls. This hinders nutrient transport to and from the cell leading to cell death [24]. Aside from its antimicrobial property, Ag" is attractive as a food preservation additive as it is non-toxic and non-inflammatory [25]. 

The antimicrobial active acids mode of action is based on the ability of the undissociated forms to interact with or to pass through the membrane of the microbial cell which normally is negatively charged thus being a barrier for the negatively charged forms of the acids. In their undissodated state the acids may alter the membrane permeability of the microbial cell and interfere with many enzymatic processes in the cell. That means nutrient transport inhibition is mainly responsible for the antimicrobial effect of acids. 

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