With the advent in science and technology, a recent field collectively coined as

“nanotechnology” has emerged which has revolutionized the concept of modern-day

medicine. It is by virtue of this that nanotechnology has become an imperative part of

varied scientific paradigms. Nanoparticles (NPs) are sub-micron-sized colloidal

suspensions having particles ranging between 1 and 100 nm in size (Farouk et al.

2018). These particles offer a narrow particle size distribution, which facilitates them

with an innate ability to penetrate through the bacterial cells with certainty and ease

(Farouk et al. 2018). Another illustrative property, which is of paramount impor-

tance, is their large surface to volume area ratio, which allows these particles to

strongly and specifically interact with the bacterial cell wall even at smaller doses,

hence resulting in an enhanced antibacterial activity (Farouk et al. 2018; Magiorakos

et al. 2012). This escalated antibacterial activity can be justified based on the mode

of action of NPs. As these particles tend to establish effective communication with

the bacterial cell wall on one to one basis, the need for penetration is surpassed, thus

viably circumventing the resistance mechanism offered by the bacteria (Farouk et al.

2018). This raises the expectation that nanoparticles would be less inclined than

antibiotics to advance resistant bacteria (Beyth et al. 2015; Farouk et al. 2018).

Consequently, it can be said that these nano-sized particles can act as a viable

alternative to traditional antibiotic therapy for fighting bacterial afflictions (Farouk

et al. 2018).

The following review article is precisely divided into four sections wherein the

first section chiefly corresponds toward the introduction of the problem. In the latter

part, the effect of physicochemical properties of nanoparticles on the antibacterial

property has been comprehensively discussed. The present monologue also centers

on defining the underlying mechanistic components of nanoparticles, which help in

evading the resistance developed by bacterial pathogens. The last phase of the

following manuscript pertains toward the application of the varied types of

nanoparticles in mediating a theranostic approach for effective treatment of bacterial

infections.

11.2

Physicochemical Properties and Invigorated Tool

In order to gain an insight into the antibacterial property of NPs, it becomes a

prerequisite that the physicochemical properties of the NPs should be thoroughly

investigated (Farouk et al. 2018). It has been deciphered that bactericidal properties

by certain metals are possessed when they are present in their bulk forms, while other

few depicts antibacterial property when they are exclusively present in nano form

(Seil and Webster 2012). Thus, it can be precisely said that an individual

nanoparticulate system will result in the generation of the varied types of bactericidal

effect. Hence, the following section will shed some light on certain imperative and

crucial factors, which tend to affect the antibacterial property of NPs (Fig. 11.1).

11

Nanoparticles: A Potential Breakthrough in Counteracting. . .

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