Silver Nanoparticles Production with Probiotic Bacteria

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (colloidal silver) have a bactericidal effect against a variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses. They are promising for biomedical applications due to the limited toxicity against eukaryotic cells. Important role in the silver nanoparticles production have various microorganisms including lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus. Probiotic Lactobacillus species are good candidates for nanoparticles producing in the laboratory and in industrial scale, too. The aim of this work was to test the production of colloidal silver nanoparticles with probiotic species Lactobacillus casei. Nanoparticles production was tested in the reaction mixtures (phosphate buffer, glucose, bacterial cells) upon addition of varying concentrations of AgNO3 (1 - 4mM). Production of the silver nanoparticles was proven by screening of reaction mixtures by Transmission electron microscopy. Level of Ag+ ions utilization to nanoparticles was analysed by optical emission spectrometry. Results showed high efficiency of nanosilver production with narrow size distribution of nanoparticles (12 - 27nm).