Anticandidal activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Streptomyces sp.VITPK1

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticandidal activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles using the culture filtrate of Streptomyces sp.VITPK1.

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the culture filtrate of Streptomyces species isolated from brine spring located at Thoubal District, Manipur, India. The isolate was identified by molecular taxonomic characterization and designated as Streptomyces sp.VITPK1. The synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized by UV-visible spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. The antifungal activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated against selected Candida species.

The synthesized AgNPs showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 425 nm. XRD patterns showed the crystalline peaks at 38.15° (111), 44.35° (200), 64.52° (220) and 77.49° (311) matching with the diffraction facets of silver. The size of the AgNPs was in the range of 20-45 nm. The EDAX analysis revealed the presence of silver as the major metal in the sample. The synthesized AgNPs showed anticandidal activity against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei with a maximum zone of inhibition of 20mm against C. albicans.

The results of this study suggest that the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Streptomyces sp.VITPK1 have the ability to act against pathogenic Candida strains.