Antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiurease activities of silver nanoparticles against Proteus mirabilis

Nanoparticles (NPs) are

tiny materials ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm and have unique magnetic,

electrical, optical characteristics differing from the bulk materials. They

have broad spectrum of applications in pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics,

aviation, construction, and automotive industries (Ali, 2020). Several physical and chemical techniques such as

electrochemical, thermal decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, sonochemical

reduction and microwave irradiation have been applied to produce metal NPs

(Cele, 2020). Alternatively, green synthesis of offers an

environmentally-friendly and simple mean for NP preparation. In the present

study, silver NPs were produced by Pseudomonas

aeruginosa OG1 strain. Characterization of NPs were performed by TEM<s> </s>and

XRD. These NPs were used against pathogenic Proteus

mirabilis, which occurs widely in soil and water and shows high level

urease activity and forms clear biofilms. It is the cause of 90% of all Proteus infections and frequently

related with the catheter-associated urinary tract infections (Armbruster et

al., 2018). Silver NPs were applied to inhibit the growth, urease production,

and biofilm formation of P. mirabilis.

Growth inhibition zones of 9 mm and 11 mm were obtained with 100 µg/mL and 200

µg/mL NPs, respectively. 60 % and 85% antibiofilm effects were obtained by 100

µg/mL and 200 µg/mL NPs, respectively. Urease activity of P. mirabilis was completely inhibited in both concentrations. These

results show that the silver NPs can be used as effective antimicrobial,

antibiofilm, and antiurease agents in the fight against pathogens.<o:p></o:p>