Facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles and antibiotic conjugated silver nanoparticles: a proficient recyclable nano-catalyst and antimicrobial agent

Abstract

Microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has attracted considerable attention in recent times due to their exceptional versatile properties. These nanoparticles provide a promising technology to enhance the drug efficacy, effective vehicles for drug delivery, agents for degrading pollutants and many more novel functions.A bacterialstrain Staphylococcus warneri SuMS_NO3, isolated from the soil sediment of Sundarbans estuaryis capable to produce highly stable AgNPs by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) saltusing its intracellular protein extract. Then, Gentamicin, a common antibiotic was conjugated with as-synthesized AgNP. AgNPs werecharacterized utilizing ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry,transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic measurement. The particles are found to be spherical, 2–10 nm in size, highly dispersed and also highly crystalline with face-centered cubic structures.Recyclable catalytic activity of as-synthesized AgNPs was evidenced by complete degradation of nitro aromatic pollutants like 2-nitroaniline, 4-nitroaniline, 2-nitrophenoland 4-nitrophenol.This green technology for bioremediation of toxic nitro aromatic pollutants issafe and economically beneficial to challenge the development and sustainability issue.The antimicrobial activity assay of AgNP and AgNP-Gentamicin was carried out against different gram negative and gram-positive bacteria.