TY - JOUR A1 - Misirli, Gabriel M. A1 - Sridharan, Kishore A1 - Abrantes, Shirley M. P. T1 - A review on nanostructured silver as a basic ingredient in medicine: physicochemical parameters and characterization JF - Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology PY - 2021/// VL - 12 SP - 440 EP - 461 SN - 2190-4286 DO - 10.3762/bjnano.12.36 PB - Beilstein-Institut JA - Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. UR - https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.12.36 KW - bactericidal agent KW - {111} facets KW - mechanism of action KW - silver ion KW - silver nanoparticles KW - quality control KW - virucidal agent N2 - Recent studies with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the history of silver metal as a broad-spectrum bactericidal and virucidal agent, places silver as one of the future biocidal candidates in the field of nanomedicine to eliminate bacteria and viruses, especially multidrug resistant ones. In this review, we have described the various morphologies of AgNPs and correlated the enhanced bactericidal activity with their prominent {111} facets. In addition to prioritizing the characterization we have also discussed the importance of quantifying AgNPs and silver ion content (Ag+) and their different mechanisms at the chemical, biological, pharmacological, and toxicological levels. The mechanism of action of AgNPs against various bacteria and viruses including the SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed in order to understand its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent with therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity. Further, there is the need to characterize AgNPs and quantify the content of free Ag+ for the implementation of new systematic studies of this promising agent in nanomedicine and in clinical practice. ER -