ABSTRACT
Aims: The study was explaining that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized biologically by Bacillus megaterium culture supernatant (as reducing and stabilizing agents) by the optimization of medium components for nitrate reductase production to enhance the synthesis of AgNPs. And use of gamma irradiation for the synthesis and incorporation of AgNPs with selected antibiotics at distinct dose. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in 2012 in the Department of Drug Radiation Research, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. Methodology: The optimized conditions for AgNPs formation by B. megaterium culture supernatant were as follows; media containing: (%) yeast extract: 0.15, peptone: 0.25, KNO3:0.1 temp: 30ºC and incubation period 24 h with maximum nitrate reductase activity of (680.89U/ml). Physical synthesis of AgNPs and incorporation with antibiotics such as (Sodium Cefotaxime, Gentamycin sulphate and Amoxicillin) by γ-rays doses such as (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 kGy) were studded. AgNPs were characterized by (UV-Vis.), (DLS), (FT-IR) and (TEM) analysis. Combined and individual antibacterial activities of Amoxicillin and AgNPs were investigated against different pathogenic bacterial species by measuring the (ZOI) and by determining the (MIC). Results: This method shows that Aqueous Ag+ ions were reduced to AgNPs when added to the cell-free supernatant of B. megaterium this is indicated by the color change from whitish yellow to brown and the control showed no color change. In physical method Amoxicillin was incorporated with AgNPs perfectly at 2.5kGy. The decreasing order of the average antibacterial activity against bacterial group was observed to be AgNPs > Amoxicillin > Amoxicillin + AgNPs. Conclusion: The radiation-induced AgNPs synthesis is a simple, clean which involves radiolysis of aqueous solution that provides an efficient method to reduce metal ions. B. megaterium was found to be an effective biological tool for the extracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs. The bactericidal activity have proved that AgNPs in combination with amoxicillin kill bacteria at such low concentrations (units of ppm), which do not reveal acute toxic effects on human cell, in addition to overcoming resistance, and lowering cost when compared to conventional antibiotics.