Anti-bacterial activity of Cymbopogon citratus nanoparticles against Vibrio species infecting aquatic organisms

Abstract

The presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio harveyi in aquatic organisms causes vibriosis, leading to their significant mortality. The efficacy of antibiotic treatment is reduced due to increasing antibiotic resistance. As a result, novel therapeutic agents are increasingly needed to treat outbreak of such diseases in aquatic organisms and humans. This study focuses on utilizing the bioactive compounds of Cymbopogon citratus as they are rich in a variety of secondary metabolites which promotes growth, natural immune response and disease resistance against pathogenic bacteria in various ecosystems. In silico studies were performed to evaluate the binding potential of the bioactive compounds against targeted protein beta – lactamase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and metallo – beta – lactamase in V. alginolyticus via molecular docking. Cymbopogon citratus nanoparticles (CcNps) were synthesized, characterized and toxicity studies were performed by using Vigna radiata, and Artemia nauplii at different concentrations of Cymbopogon citratus nanoparticles. The results revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were non-ecotoxic and act as potential growth promoters in plants. The antibacterial activity of synthesized Cymbopogon citratus was evaluated using agar well diffusion method. MIC, MBC, and biofilm assays performed by using different concentrations of synthesized nanoparticles. Thus, it was proved that Cymbopogon citratus nanoparticles showed better antibacterial activity against Vibrio species.