1. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and assay of their antibacterial activity
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Abstract
Nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in recent era among which, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have demonstrated exceptional characteristics in medical sciences, particularly. Use of plants for AgNP synthesis represents an eco-friendly, low cost and energy-efficient approach to combat microbial diseases and growing antibiotic resistance. The present study aimed at synthesizing AgNPs using extracts of Aloe vera peel as well as Ranunculus paludosus and Matthiola incana flowers and assessment of their antibacterial potential against clinically isolated multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The biocidal potential of crude extracts as well as synergistic action of crude extracts and selected antibiotics was determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results showed that crude extracts alone or with selected antibiotics showed no antibacterial potential against MDR pathogens including Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. AgNPs were synthesized by addition of silver nitrate solution to crude extracts. UV-Visible spectroscopy analysis was done to confirm the synthesis of AgNPs while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was performed to depict the functional groups associated with formation of AgNPs. Antimicrobial activity of synthesized AgNPs alone and their synergistic activity with selected antibiotics was then estimated. Results demonstrated the biocidal effectiveness of synthesized AgNPs against MDR pathogens which was further enhanced when used in combination with antibiotics as depicted by wide and clear zones of inhibition. These observations are suggestive of promising antibacterial activity of Aloe vera peel as well as flowers of Ranunculus paludosus and Matthiola incana which may be further validated by extensive research.
Keywords: Antibiotics; Biocidal action; Multidrug resistant pathogens