Potencial antimicrobiano de nanopartículas de prata estabilizadas em extrato aquoso de Bixa Orellana L

Abstract

One of the problems facing global public health is resistance to conventional antibiotics, which is considered a devastating impact on society. The extent of the problem is due to the incorrect use of medications available by the pharmaceutical industry. The search for efficient ways to solve the problem of microbial resistance has found its way into silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), where they have the ability to invade the interior of cells and interact with compounds in order to destroy microorganisms. Its action has a broad spectrum, including fungi and bacteria. The number of deaths from untreatable infections caused by these resistant pathogens is high, therefore, it is important to develop products, medicines, and new formulations to combat antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Bixa orellana L. by the green synthesis method. AgNPs were synthesized with silver nitrate, aqueous extract of Bixa Orellana L. and distilled water. The formation of dark brown AgNPs was obtained. Characterization by spectroscopy in the ultraviolet visible region (UV-VIS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) identified the material; its interaction with the extract was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); then they were applied against bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and fungal species: Candida albicans and toxicological assay with Artemia salina. The results show maximum absorption peak at 450 nm, maximum diffraction peak at 38° and average silver nanoparticle diameter size of 57.8 nm. The toxicity test with brine shrimp indicates that the material is not toxic and the antimicrobial test proves a significant activity of AgNPs against bacterial and fungal species. Thus, future perspectives are that AgNPs can be used in the development of a drug for use in the treatment of microbial infections.