Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Remains Susceptible to Metal Ions and Graphene-Based Compounds

Escherichia coli is listed as a priority 1 pathogen on the World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogen list. For this list of pathogens, new antibiotics are urgently needed to control the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains. This study assessed eighteen metal ions, graphene, and graphene oxide for their antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli in both planktonic and biofilm growth states and the potential synergy between metal ions and graphene-based compounds. Molybdenum and tin ions exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity against the planktonic states of the isolates with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging between 13 mg/L and 15.6 mg/L. Graphene oxide had no antimicrobial effect against any of the isolates, while graphene showed a moderate effect against E. coli (MIC, 62.5 mg/L). Combinations of metal ions and graphene-based compounds including tin–graphene, tin–graphene oxide, gold–graphene, platinum–graphene, and platinum–graphene oxide exhibited a synergistic antimicrobial effect (FIC ≤ 0.5), inhibiting the planktonic and biofilm formation of the isolates regardless of their antibiotic-resistant profiles. The bactericidal effect of the metal ions and the synergistic effects when combined with graphene/graphene oxide against medically relevant pathogens demonstrated that the antimicrobial efficacy was increased. Hence, such agents may potentially be used in the production of novel antimicrobial/antiseptic agents.