Abstract
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacterial pathogens have created a global threat to human health and the environment. Targeting the quorum sensing (QS) linked virulent traits of bacteria is considered to be a novel approach for addressing the problem of AMR. In this study, green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-MK) were evaluated for the inhibition of the formation of biofilms and quorum sensing controlled virulence factors against three Gram negative bacteria. Remarkable inhibition (>80%) of QS-mediated violacein production was recorded in
C. violaceum
12472. Up to 90% inhibition of the QS-mediated virulent traits of
S. marcescens
MTCC 97 was observed. The virulence factors of
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 also decreased in a dose dependent manner in the presence of AgNPs-MK. Moreover, the development of biofilms of
C. violaceum
12472,
S. marcescens
MTCC 97, and
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 was reduced by 87.39, 81.54, and 71.34%, respectively. Biofilms on glass surfaces were remarkably reduced, with less aggregation of bacterial cells and the reduced formation of extra polymeric substances. The findings clearly show the efficacy of AgNPs-MK against the development of biofilms and the QS mediated virulent traits of Gram negative bacterial pathogens. AgNPs-MK may be further exploited for the development of alternative antimicrobial agents after careful scrutiny in animal models for the management of bacterial infections, especially for topical applications.
Green synthesized silver nanoparticles inhibit the quorum sensing and biofilm development of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria