The multifaceted role of pectin in keratin based nanocomposite with antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activity

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.