Pisum sativum L. Peel Extract Based Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles as Antibiotic Adjuvants to Reverse Multidrug...

Rapid spread of antimicrobial drug resistance is alarming and demands a sustainable solution. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles can pave the way for the development of adjuvants that can help overcome bacterial drug resistance.

In the current study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles utilizing pea (Pisum sativum) peels and their evaluation against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has been proposed. Pea peels were extracted and analyzed for antioxidant potential by non-enzymatic DPPH assay. The extract was used to prepare silver nanoparticles (gAgNPs) characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, SEM, FTIR, and zeta sizer, and evaluated for antibacterial activity.

The SEM showed that the gAgNPs were spherical with a size of 59.24 nm ± 0.3, and the zeta sizer gave a PDI of 0.2. As adjuvants, these gAgNPs in combination with vancomycin showed a superior antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (zone of inhibition= 66 mm ± 0.41) and vancomycin-resistant P. aeruginosa (35 mm ± 1.41) as compared to vancomycin. Hemolysis was IC₅₀= 998.44 μg/mL, creating a therapeutic window for IC50 =5 μg/mL, effective against human pathogens.

This study suggests these gAgNPs could be a good lead to work as adjuvants with vancomycin against vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical bacteria and thus warrants further studies.