Researchers have developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly technique for embedding antimicrobial silver nanoparticles into vegetable oil-based paints. The method could give homes and workplaces a new defense against germs just by applying a fresh coat of paint.

Silver’s antibacterial properties have been known for thousands of years. However, coatings containing antimicrobial agents have often failed commercially due to their complex, multi-step preparation methods and high cost of production. The simplicity of the new process could allow a versatile coating material for health and environmental applications.

The nanoparticle embedded coating can be applied like traditional paints to metal, wood, polymers, glass, and ceramics. They have exhibited efficient antibacterial activity toward Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).