Citrus limon phytocompounds decorated nanoparticles control poultry pathogens.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Nanotechnology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a major global threat impacting human and animal health.
• Antibiotics are widely used in poultry and livestock for performance enhancement, contributing to resistance.
• There is an urgent need for safe and effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of lemon peel-derived silver nanoparticles (LP AgNPs) as an alternative to antibiotics against poultry pathogens.
• To characterize the synthesized LP AgNPs and evaluate their antibacterial efficacy and toxicity.
• To explore the use of phytochemicals from lemon peel for green synthesis of nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemicals from lemon peel were used for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (LP AgNPs).
• LP AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, EDAX, HRTEM, and zeta potential measurements.
• Antibacterial activity was tested against poultry pathogens, and toxicity was assessed using Vigna radiata seedlings and Artemia nauplii.

Main Results:

• Characterization confirmed the synthesis of stable LP AgNPs (2-20 nm) with phytochemical capping.
• LP AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against poultry pathogens, with a maximum inhibitory concentration of 50 μg/ml.
• Toxicity tests indicated a low toxic effect and an eco-friendly nature of the synthesized nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

• Green synthesized LP AgNPs are effective against antibiotic-resistant poultry pathogens.
• LP AgNPs represent a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming.
• This research paves the way for developing novel nanoparticle-based products for treating infections caused by resistant pathogens.