Biogenic iron-silver nanoparticles inhibit bacterial biofilm formation due to Ag+ release as determined by a novel phycoerythrin-based assay

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) can be considered as a cost-effective alternative to antibiotics. In the presence of Fe(III)-citrate and Ag+, Klebsiella oxytoca DSM 29614 produces biogenic Ag-NPs embedded in its peculiar exopolysaccharide (EPS). K. oxytoca DSM 29614 was cultivated in a defined growth medium–containing citrate (as sole carbon source) and supplemented with Ag+ and either low or high Fe(III) concentration. As inferred from elemental analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and dynamic light scattering, Ag-EPS NPs were produced in both conditions and contained also Fe. The production yield of high-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs was 12 times higher than the production yield of low-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs, confirming the stimulatory effect of iron. However, relative Ag content and Ag+ ion release were higher in low-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs than in high-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs, as revealed by emission-excitation spectra by luminescent spectrometry using a novel ad hoc established phycoerythrin fluorescence–based assay. Interestingly, high and low-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs showed different and growth medium–dependent minimal inhibitory concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442. In addition, low-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs exert inhibition of staphylococcal and pseudomonal biofilm formation, while high-Fe/Ag-EPS NPs inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation only. Altogether, these results, highlighting the different capability of Ag+ release, support the idea that Fe/Ag-EPS NPs produced by K. oxytoca DSM 29614 can be considered as promising candidates in the development of specific antibacterial and anti-biofilm agents

Biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: plants, animals and microbial aspects

The green synthesis (GS) of different metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) has re-evaluated plants, animals and microorganisms for their natural potential to reduce metallic ions into neutral atoms at no expense of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Contrary to chemically synthesized MNPs, GS offers advantages of enhanced biocompatibility and thus has better scope for biomedical applications. Plant, animals and microorganisms belonging to lower and higher taxonomic groups have been experimented for GS of MNPs, such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron (Fe2O3), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), nickel oxide (NiO) and magnesium oxide (MgO). Among the different plant groups used for GS, angiosperms and algae have been explored the most with great success. GS with animal-derived biomaterials, such as chitin, silk (sericin, fibroin and spider silk) or cell extract of invertebrates have also been reported. Gram positive and gram negative bacteria, different fungal species and virus particles have also shown their abilities in the reduction of metal ions. However, not a thumb rule, most of the reducing agents sourced from living world also act as capping agents and render MNPs less toxic or more biocompatible. The most unexplored area so far in GS is the mechanism studies for different natural reducing agents expect for few of them, such as tea and neem plants. This review encompasses the recent advances in the GS of MNPs using plants, animals and microorganisms and analyzes the key points and further discusses the pros and cons of GS in respect of chemical synthesis.Fil: Das, Ratul Kumar. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canadá. The Energy and Resources Institute; IndiaFil: Pachapur, Vinayak Laxman. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Lonappan, Linson. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Naghdi, Mitra. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Pulicharla, Rama. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Maiti, Sampa. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Cledón, Maximiliano. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canadá. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni". - Provincia de Río Negro. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni". - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni"; ArgentinaFil: Dalila, Larios Martinez Araceli. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Sarma, Saurabh Jyoti. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Brar, Satinder Kaur. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canad