Researchers from Norway and Australia have discovered a way to supercharge the humble vinegar with nanotechnology. By adding cobalt- and carbon-based nanoparticles, they enhanced vinegar’s antibacterial properties, effectively killing harmful bacteria without harming the body.
Healing Infected Wounds
Experiments on mice revealed that this “nano-enhanced” vinegar could treat infected wounds, offering hope for more effective therapies against antibiotic-resistant infections. Chronic wounds, often caused by bacterial infections, are particularly dangerous for the elderly and patients with diabetes, cancer, or other chronic illnesses.
From Kitchen Staple to Medical Aid
Vinegar, or acetic acid, has been used as a disinfectant for centuries. However, its antibacterial effect is limited to a small range of bacteria, leaving dangerous strains untouched. The new study, conducted by the University of Bergen in Norway and Australia’s QIMR Berghofer and Flinders University, shows that adding antimicrobial nanoparticles dramatically boosts vinegar’s natural bacteria-fighting powers.
Targeting Resistant Bacteria
Dr. Adam Truskewycz and Professor Nils Halberg, molecular biology experts, found that the nanoparticles can kill dangerous bacteria more effectively when combined with vinegar. The mixture proved highly effective against resistant strains like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Enterococcus faecalis.
The acidic environment of vinegar makes bacterial walls absorb the nanoparticles, which attack both the surface and interior of bacterial cells, causing them to burst. Crucially, the treatment is non-toxic to human cells and, in mouse experiments, eradicated infections without impairing wound healing.
A Potential Lifesaver
With over five million deaths annually from resistant infections worldwide, the nano-vinegar approach offers a promising tool against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As Professor Halberg notes, this study, published in ACS Nano, highlights how nanoparticles can enhance the effectiveness of antibacterial therapies through smart combination treatments.
