Antibiofilm Activities of Carbon-Based Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites: A Comparative Review

With the development of biofilms by various microorganisms, bacterial species are more and more resistant to antibiotics. Thus, the quest for finding novel antibiofilm agents continues to fight against these pathogenic infections. Carbon nanoparticles and nanocomposites such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene oxide nanoparticles, carbon quantum dots, etc.; shows effective antibiofilm activities against different biofilm-forming bacteria and fungi. This is due to their shape and size which plays a major role in the disintegration of the extracellular polymeric matrix of the bacterial biofilms causing their inhibition. Carbon nanotubes are found to reduce the use of antibiotics as well as reduce the resistance possessed by these biofilms forming bacterial and fungal species, increase their bioavailability, and increase their capabilities for on-site drug delivery. The present review provides insight into the antibiofilm efficiencies of different carbon nanoparticles and nanocomposites and their mechanism of action.