Many studies have reported that the widespread use and abuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, a significant weakness of current antibiotic therapy. Therefore, the present scenario motivates scientists to develop biocompatible nanoparticles (Nps) that apply better antibacterial effects and biocompatible properties, including cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of boron nitride (BN) and chitosan coated BN-Nps using different surfactants. In this regard, the potential antibacterial activity of prepared chitosan-coated and non-coated BN-Nps have been investigated against nine reference bacteria strains. BN-Nps and chitosan-coated BN-Nps were successfully developed and characterized. Nps determined that showed high zeta potential values (between -20.1 mV and +59.2 mV). Antimicrobial resistance results indicated that formulations of BN-Nps with negative zeta potential were found to be effective compared to chitosan-coated BN-Nps with high positive zeta potential. These findings emphasize the future availability of BN-Nps formulation providing antibacterial activity.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, boron nitride, chitosan, nanoparticles, zeta potential.