Silver-Protein Nanocomposites as Antimicrobial Agents.
Mahmoud Sitohy1, Abdul-Raouf Al-Mohammadi2, Ali Osman1
1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2021
Summary
This study developed novel silver nanoparticle-protein nanocomposites from fenugreek and mung bean seeds. These Ag-FNP and Ag-MNP nanocomposites demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria compared to individual components.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pathogenic bacterial infections pose a significant threat to public health.
- Nanomaterials, particularly silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), show promise as antimicrobial agents.
- Protein-nanomaterial composites offer a synergistic approach to enhance antibacterial efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticle-protein nanocomposites using fenugreek (FNP) and mung bean (MNP) seed proteins.
- To evaluate the antibacterial activity of these nanocomposites against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- To compare the efficacy of the nanocomposites with individual proteins and silver nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and fractionation of seed proteins (FNP and MNP) using SDS-PAGE.
- Immobilization of Ag-NPs onto FNP and MNP to create Ag-FNP and Ag-MNP nanocomposites.
- Comprehensive physicochemical characterization using XRD, DLS, zeta potential, SEM, TEM, AFM, and BET analysis.
- Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) against various pathogenic bacteria.
- Microscopic analysis (TEM) of bacterial cells treated with nanocomposites.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and characterization of Ag-FNP and Ag-MNP nanocomposites with defined structural and surface properties.
- Both Ag-FNP and Ag-MNP exhibited significant inhibitory effects against tested pathogenic bacteria.
- The nanocomposites demonstrated superior antibacterial activity compared to Ag-NPs or proteins alone.
- Low MIC values were observed for Ag-FNP against *Salmonella typhimurium* and *Pseudomonas aerugenosa*, and for Ag-MNP against *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- TEM analysis revealed cell deformation, surface damage, and reduced bacterial numbers upon treatment with nanocomposites.
Conclusions:
- Silver nanoparticle-protein nanocomposites derived from fenugreek and mung bean seeds are effective antibacterial agents.
- These novel nanocomposites offer enhanced antimicrobial efficacy, presenting a promising alternative for combating pathogenic bacteria.
- The study highlights the potential of plant-based protein-nanoparticle systems in developing new antimicrobial strategies.
