The synergistic effect of using bacteriophages and chitosan nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria as a novel therapeutic approach

Abstract

Public health and environmental security are seriously at risk due to the growing contamination of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, effective antimicrobials are urgently needed. In our study, the antimicrobial effects of three types of nanoparticles were investigated with phage. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed based on the color change and shapes, which tended to be mono-dispersed with a spherical shape with a size range of 20-35 nm for Ag-CS-NPs; 15-30 nm for Phage-CS-NPs (Ph-CS-NPs); and 5-35 nm for Propolis-CS-NPs (Pro-CS-NPs). Nanoparticles displayed peaks between 380-420 nm, 335-380 nm, and below 335 nm for Ag-CS-NPs, Pro-CS-NPs, and Ph-CS NPs, respectively. Throughout the three synthesized nanoparticles, AgCs NPs represented a higher antibacterial effect in combination with phages. It showed MIC against S. sciuri, S. Typhimurium, and P. aeruginosa between 31.2 and 62.2 μg/mL and MBC at 500, 62.5, and 31.2 μg/mL, respectively, while in combination with phages showed MIC at 62.2, 31.2, and 15.6 μg/mL, respectively and MBC at 125, 62.2, and 15.6 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, a significant killing efficiency was observed with 16.5-30.1 μg/mL of Ag-CS NPs combined with phages. In conclusion, Ag-CS-NPs with phages present potential bactericidal and inhibitory effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as against the production of biofilms.

Keywords: Chitosan; Natural nanoparticles; Phage therapy.