Abstract
Despite several investigations on the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles, the toxicity presented by its surface charge and high dose limit its use. Hence, this work aims to produce a nanocomposite made up of keratin, pectin, ferulic acid and silver nanoparticles to overcome the limitations. The linkages between silver ions and pectin in the final nano-formulation, which coats the core of ferulic acid and keratin, are responsible for the multifaceted optimum properties of the nanocomposite, as demonstrated by FT-IR analysis. The nanocomposite had an ideal size (88.35 ± 20.67 nm), a low PDI (0.3440 ± 18), and negative zeta potential of about-16.5 mV. Yield, percentage encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading were determined to be 59.87 ± 2.1%, 89 ± 1.6%, and 1.4 ± 0.04%, respectively. The cubic structure, larger surface area, mixed crystalline cum amorphous nature, and superior thermal stability of the nanocomposite enabled 98.81 ± 2.0% cumulative ferulic acid release after swelling and erosion of the pectin outer shell at pH 5.5 buffer after 12 h. It improved the antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. With a modest dose of the nanocomposite, significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activity demonstrated the synergistic effect of all the components of the nanocomposite at a lower concentration, probably decreasing its toxicity.
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