The Use of Silver Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents between 2014 and 2023 in Brazil and Worldwide: A Bibliometric Review

This study aimed to employ bibliometric methodologies to provide an overview of silver nanoparticles used as antimicrobial agents over the past decade. According to research conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a total of 2504 articles were published globally, of which 109 were from Brazilian institutions. Notably, approximately 70% of the leading article-producing countries are in Asia, with India emerging as the primary contributor with 1892 articles. Brazil ranked sixth in terms of publication volume, contributing 366 articles. Predominantly, the Southeastern region of Brazil exhibited the highest publication output, constituting 61% of the total, with the state of São Paulo playing a central role. Despite a gradual increase in the number of publications, most studies focused on synthesis methodologies, mainly producing aqueous silver nanoparticle solutions and their correlation with antimicrobial applications. The scarcity of publications addressing their efficacy in final commercialized products poses challenges for regulatory actions, quality control, and sanitary surveillance. Bibliometric studies are valuable tools for guiding future research efforts with significant potential impacts to foster a deeper understanding of this topic within the scientific community.

Keywords:
silver nanoparticle; antimicrobial; bibliometric analysis