Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Stressors Generate Synergistic Growth Inhibition in Species through Cell Wall Damage, Osmotic Stress, and Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND

The need to combat and reduce the incidence, virulence, and drug resistance of species belonging to genus, has led to the development of new strategies. Nanotechnology, through the implementation of nanomaterials, has emerged as an infallible tool to treat various diseases caused by pathogens, where its mechanisms of action prevent the development of undesirable pharmacological resistance.

OBJECTIVE

The antifungal activity and adjuvant properties of biogenic silver nanoparticles in different species (, and ) are evaluated.

METHODS

The biogenic metallic nanoparticles were developed by quercetin-mediated biological synthesis. The physicochemical properties were studied by light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, UV-vis and infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The elucidation of mechanisms of antifungal action was carried out under stress conditions in species at the cell wall and response to oxidative stress.

RESULTS

Small silver nanoparticles (≈ 16.18 nm) with irregular morphology, and negative surface electrical charge (≈ -48.99 mV), were obtained through quercetin-mediated biosynthesis. Infrared spectra showed that the surface of silver nanoparticles is functionalized with the quercetin molecule. The antifungal activity of biogenic nanoparticles had efficacy in the following trend . Biogenic nanoparticles and stressors showed synergistic and potentiated antifungal effects through cell damage, osmotic stress, cell wall damage, and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Silver nanoparticles synthesized by quercetin-mediated biosynthesis could be implemented as a powerful adjuvant agent to enhance the inhibition effects of diverse compounds over different species.