Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Chemically and Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles.

Bacterial biofilms are a significant problem in the food industry, as they are difficult to eradicate and represent a threat to consumer health. Currently, nanoparticles as an alternative to traditional chemical disinfectants have garnered much attention due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low toxicity. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by a biological method using a Jacaranda mimosifolia flower aqueous extract and by a chemical method, and the factors affecting both syntheses were optimized. The nanoparticles were characterized by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a spherical and uniform shape. The antibacterial and antibiofilm formation activity was carried out on bacterial species of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with the capacity to form biofilm. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 117.5 µg/mL for the chemical and 5.3 µg/mL for the biological nanoparticles. Both types of nanoparticles showed antibiofilm activity in the qualitative Congo red test and in the quantitative microplate test. Antibiofilm activity tests on fresh lettuce showed that biological nanoparticles decreased the population of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by 0.63 and 2.38 logarithms, respectively, while chemical nanoparticles had little microbial reduction. In conclusion, the biologically synthesized nanoparticles showed greater antibiofilm activity. Therefore, these results suggest their potential application in the formulation of sanitizing products for the food and healthcare industries.

Toxicological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with Peel Extract of Stenocereus queretaroensis.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with plants are widely used in different industries, such as the medical, industrial, and food industries; however, their hazards and risks remain unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects of AgNPs in both in vitro and in vivo models. Previously, we developed and characterized green synthesized AgNPs based on Stenocereus queretaroensis (S. queretaroensis). The present study evaluates the toxicity of these AgNPs through cytotoxicity and mutagenicity tests in vitro, as well as genotoxicity tests, including the evaluation of acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity, along with dermal and ocular irritation, in vivo, according to guidelines of The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We evaluated cell cytotoxicity in L929 cells, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 134.76 µg/mL. AgNPs did not cause genotoxic or mutagenic effects. Furthermore, in vivo oral, dermal, and acute inhalation toxicity results did not show any adverse effects or mortality in the test animals, and after the dermal and ocular irritation assessments, the in vivo models did not exhibit irritation or corrosion. Therefore, the results show that these previously synthesized S. queretaroensis AgNPs do not represent a risk at the tested concentrations; however, little is known about the effects that AgNPs induce on physiological systems or the possible risk following long-term exposure.

Natural essential oil mix of sweet orange peel, cumin, and allspice elicits anti-inflammatory activity and pharmacological safety similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

An inflammation response occurs when the body reacts to exogenous and endo enous noxious stimuli, and it helps the body respond to infection and repair tissues, adapt to stress, and remove dead or damaged cells. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are traditionally used to treat inflammation; however, these drugs often cause negative side effects. For this reason, developing and establishing effective alternative medicines for treating many chronic diseases with underlying inflammation is critically dependent on the identification of new organic molecules and bioactive substances. Aromatic and volatile compounds found in essential oils isolated from Pimenta dioica (allspice), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), and Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) are a source of bioactive compounds. Allspice essential oil reduces ear inflammation more than 65% and the anti-inflammatory activity of allspice essential oil is enhanced when combined with sweet orange peel and cumin essential oils, resulting in the reduction of edema inflammation by more than 85%, similar to indomethacin. As an alternative to anti-inflammatory treatment, essential oil mix is pharmacologically safe as it is neither toxic nor mutagenic.

Landfill Leachate from an Urban Solid Waste Storage System Produces Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity in Pre-Adolescent and Young Adults Rats.

Landfill leachate is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic molecules, as well as environmental pollutants that can cause harm to ecosystems and living beings. The micronucleus test in peripheral blood erythrocytes was used to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of exposure to a landfill leachate from an outdoor solid waste storage system on Wistar strain rats at different developmental stages, pre-adolescents and young adults, and the heavy metal content of the leachate was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Contents of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead in the landfill leachate were outside the allowable international standards, and the exposure to the landfill leachate caused genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on Wistar rats, where the pre-adolescent animals were more susceptible to the toxics contained in the landfill leachate than young adults. Heavy metals contained in landfill leachate, individually or synergically with other molecules can be responsible for clastogenic and cytotoxic effects that can be harmful to humans and ecosystems.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Stenocereus queretaroensis Fruit Peel Extract: Study of Antimicrobial Activity.

The synthesis and application of nanomaterials as antioxidants and cytotoxic agents has increased in recent years. Biological methods go beyond the chemical and physical synthesis that is expensive and not friendly to the environment. Foodborne pathogens and microorganisms causing candidiasis are responsible of 5-10% hospitalized patients. The nutritional properties of the fruit called pitaya, from the Stenocereus queretaroensis species, have been little explored. Therefore, in this study the phytochemical composition of S. queretaroensis peel was evaluated and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized biologically in an environmentally friendly way by S. queretaroensis peel aqueous extract that contains phytochemicals capable of reducing silver nitrate. The antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was tested by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill kinetics. AgNPs were characterized visually, by UV-visible spectroscopy and TEM. FTIR spectroscopy identified metabolites responsible for the AgNPs formation. AgNPs showed potent antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, against fungi, and a methicillin-resistant strain of S. aureus. MIC and MBC values were as low as 0.078 and 0.156 µg/mL using AgNPs biosynthesized by S. queretaroensis fruit peel and the time kill assay started a log reduction in CFU/mL at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. S. queretaroensis-mediated AgNPs could be the basis for the formulation of biofilms for packaging products or as disinfectants for use on different surfaces.