PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Silver nanoparticles (Ag⁰) impregnated into bacterial cellulose (BC) by immersion in an antimicrobial concentration of 1,700 µg/ml (10 mM) AgNO₃ solution were used to synthesize silver nanoparticle-impregnated bacterial cellulose (Ag⁰BC) composites. Ag⁰BC incorporated into insertable footpad was developed for reduction of foot odor associated with pitted keratolysis, primarily caused by Micrococcus sedentarius. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the porous structure of Ag⁰BC fibers impregnated with Ag0 particles. The antibacterial activity of Ag⁰BC for Micrococcus sedentarius revealed a growth inhibition zone of 30 mm in diameter by disc diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNO₃ solution against Micrococcus sedentarius were 0.42 µg/ml and 0.83 µg/ml, respectively. The effficiency of an Ag⁰BC footpad applied to shoe samples was measured via total bacterial counts over a time period of 14 days. As expected, the percentage of surviving bacteria in three different types of shoe samples was gradually decreased in the period beginning on the 2^nd day. Moreover, no bacterial growth was found in any shoe sample within 8–14 days. However, the cytotoxicity of 5.31–1,700 µg/ml AgNO₃ concentrations revealed 50% growth inhibition (IC₅₀) on human dermal fibroblast cells by resazurin microplate assay (REMA). Thus, it can be concluded that Ag⁰BC, synthesized with lower doses of AgNO₃ concentration (< 1,700 µg/ml), may be able to apply in Ag⁰BC footpad production for inhibition of Micrococcus sedentarius growth and prevention of foot odour in different types of footwears.