Eco-friendly approach to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess bactericidal properties of nanosilver obtained with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a reducing substance, against environmental strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). Silver nanoparticles were obtained by a simple and fast method of chemical reduction in mild synthesis condition using substrates not classified as dangerous and commonly found in plants. Bacterial susceptibility to nanosilver was determined using the disk-diffusion method. Gram-positive bacteria were less susceptible to bactericidal action of nanosilver and minimum inhibitory concentration was higher for these bacteria. However, susceptibility of individual isolates of different species to nanosilver was very diverse. The range of growth inhibition zones indicates that the resistance to different concentrations of nanosilver was a strain-characteristic, not species-related feature. The study of effective nanomaterials synthesis and applicability appears to be an extremely important element in the development of nanotechnology, especially in terms of the risks assessment. Obtained results have a real chance to be an important step toward creating a new generation of disinfectants without toxic effects on the environment and higher organisms.

KEYWORDS:

• Silver nanoparticles preparation
• eco-friendly synthesis
• escherichia coli
• staphylococcus spp.
• disk diffusion test
• horses

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank for the opportunity to study and help shown over the completion of research data to Mrs. Anna Szary-Ziębicka from Szary Riding Club in Michałowice.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the statutory measures of the Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Poland – DS 3157/KM.