Abstract
We report the extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an endophytic fungus Pestalotia sp. isolated from leaves of Syzygium cumini (L) and their antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria viz. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-25923) and Salmonella typhi (ATCC-51812) alone and in combination with commercially available antibiotics. Detection of synthesized silver nanoparticles was carried out using UV-Visible spectrophotometer analysis, which showed a peak at 415 nm indicating the formation of nanoparticles. Further characterization includes the Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopic analysis for the detection of proteins as capping agents on nanoparticles. Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis Syatem (LM-20) analysis and TEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical and polydispersed nanoparticles in the range of 10-40 nm having average size of 12.40 nm. Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles showed significant antibacterial activity but their efficacy was increased in combination of antibiotics like gentamycin and sulphamethizole. Silver nanoparticles in combination with gentamycin showed maximum activity (30 mm) against S. aureus followed by sulphamethizole (25 mm). Similar results were reported in case of S. typhi where silver nanoparticles in combination with gentamycin (28 mm) showed more activity than combination of silver nanoparticles and sulphamethizole (24 mm). Biosynthetic approach using an endophytic fungus is a novel way towards the development of safe, economically viable and green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and thus synthesized silver nanoparticles can be used in antibacterial formulations.
Highlights
Metal nanoparticles have promising applications in the fields of medicine, electronics, agriculture, etc
These findings showed the similarity with the results reported by many researchers in past [8, 22, 23], who used different fungal system for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) spectrum revealed that the silver nanoparticles synthesized from endophytic fungus Pestalotia sp. showed the presence of peak at 1651.4, 1542, 1387 and 1057 cm-1 (Fig. 3)
Summary
Metal nanoparticles have promising applications in the fields of medicine, electronics, agriculture, etc. In the present scenario pharmaceutical and biomedical sector are facing the challenge of continuous increase in the emerging pathogens, with their antibiotic resistance profiles, with fear about the emergence and re-emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens and parasites [1]. In this modern era the priority areas of research are concerning the development or modification in antimicrobial compounds in order to improve bactericidal potential. Eng. 2011, 3(3), 174-178 properties of metal in the form of nanoparticles having promising applications in diagnostics, biomarkers, cell labeling, contrast agents for biological imaging, antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems and nanodrugs for treatment of various diseases [4, 5]
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