Silver and Antimicrobial Properties

Silver’s antimicrobial action does not have one simple target. Reviews describe how Ag⁺ ions can bind to proteins in cell walls and membranes and disrupt their function; effects on DNA have also been reported. The response depends on the form and availability of silver and on environmental conditions, and nanoparticle mechanisms are not always the same as those of dissolved ions. Laboratory activity therefore cannot automatically be generalized to every product or medical use.