Fig. 3

In vitro bactericidal activity of CSO@PM. A SEM images for the control (PBS treated), CSO, CSO@PM, CSO + NIR, CSO@PM + NIR groups after incubation with P. aeruginosa. Blue indicates NPs. B Mass of NPs bound to P. aeruginosa after co-incubation with CSO or CSO@PM. Values are mean ± SD (n = 3) and ** indicates P < 0.001. C Representative images and D quantitative analysis of bacterial colonies formed by P. aeruginosa after exposure to CSO and CSO@PM with or without 808 nm NIR irradiation. The values are shown as mean ± SD (n = 3) and ** indicates P < 0.001 compared with the corresponding control group. E Representative images and F quantitative analysis of bacterial colonies formed by P. aeruginosa after exposure to CFP, CSO, or CSO@PM with or without 808 nm NIR irradiation. The values are shown as mean ± SD (n = 3) and ** indicates P < 0.001 compared with the control group