Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2015 Mar-Apr;57(2):165-7. doi: 10.1590/S0036-46652015000200011.

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are metal structures at the nanoscale. AgNPs have exhibited antimicrobial activities against fungi and bacteria; however synthesis of AgNPs can generate toxic waste during the reaction process. Accordingly, new routes using non-toxic compounds have been researched. The proposal of the present study was to synthesize AgNPs using ribose as a reducing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a stabilizer. The antifungal activity of these particles against C. albicans and C. tropicalis was also evaluated. Stable nanoparticles 12.5 ± 4.9 nm (mean ± SD) in size were obtained, which showed high activity against Candida spp. and could represent an alternative for fungal infection treatment.

Nanopartículas de Prata (AgNPs) são estruturas metálicas em escala nanométrica. AgNPs apresentam atividades antimicrobianas contra fungos e bactérias; no entanto, a síntese de AgNPs pode gerar resíduos tóxicos e devido a isso novas rotas utilizando compostos atóxicos têm sido buscadas. O objetivo desse estudo foi sintetizar AgNPs utilizando a ribose como agente redutor e dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) como estabilizante e avaliar a atividade antifúngica dessas partículas contra C. albicans e C. tropicalis. Foram sintetizadas nanopartículas estáveis com 12,5 ± 0,2 nm (média ± DP) que apresentaram elevada atividade contra Candida spp. e podem representar boa alternativa no tratamento de infecções fúngicas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida tropicalis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Silver / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Silver