Comparative Antimicrobial Activity of Plant-Derived Silver Nanoparticles Targeting Clinically Obtained MDR Bacterial Isolates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53560/PPASB(63-2)1130Keywords:
Antibiotics, Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Microbes, Eco-friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles, Nosocomial Infections, Disc Diffusion MethodAbstract
The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, causing a serious threat to global healthcare systems. This research evaluated the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against clinically isolated bacterial pathogens collected from tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 165 samples were collected from hospital settings and equipment, from which four MDR strains were identified: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Five AgNPs were synthesized via sunlight-assisted green synthesis using aqueous extracts of Salvadora persica, Aloe vera, Cinnamomum camphora, Shorea robusta, and Cymbopogon citratus. Nanoparticle formation was confirmed by characteristic color change, and optical characterization was performed using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. All synthesized AgNPs showed significant inhibitory effects against MDR isolates, with Shorea robusta and Salvadora persica demonstrating the highest efficacy. These findings demonstrate the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for controlling nosocomial infections. Future work should focus on clinical trials and dosage to ensure their safety.
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