Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesised from Whey Protein in Combination with Hibiscus sabdariffa Flower Oil Extract on Bacterial Biofilm

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles have unique properties that are of great interest in current research. They are good antiviral agents and photosensitisers. To further enhance our knowledge,silver nanoparticles were synthesised using the help of whey protein.Whey is a protein complex derived from milk. It has antioxidant properties and is a good chelating agent.Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly called roselle,is a plant from the malvaceae family. It's added in food,herbal drinks and also used as a flavouring agent. Roselle has has excellent antibacterial,antioxidant properties and is also a good hepatoprotective agent.Few other studies have attempted the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts

Aim To assess the effect of silver nanoparticles synthesised from whey protein in combination with Hibiscus sabdariffa flower oil extract and antibiotics on biofilms.

Materials and methods Silver nanoparticles were synthesised using whey protein. Oil extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa was taken using the hydrodistillation method. Hydrodistillation is a conventional method which uses water or steam for the extraction of bioactive compounds, mostly essential oils. This technique is regularly performed via a setup recognized as the Clevenger apparatus or simple steam distillation. In the Clevenger apparatus, the hydrated sample is heated to vaporise volatile constituents. 2 layers (aqueous and oil-rich) are achieved and oil can be further separated by separating funnels.

Results The results suggested that the essential oil didn’t have any significant anti microbial activity on its own. But on mixing with antibiotic(amoxicillin), it had a synergistic combination of inhibitory activity, which was higher than antibiotic treatment alone. Hence,it can be used for treatment in combination with antibiotics.​​ Further studies can be done to check its efficacy on various other microbes.In vivo studies can be taken up to check the effects on human beings

Conclusion The silver nanoparticles in combination with Hibiscus sabdariffa flower oil extract+amoxicillin had good antimicrobial properties. Further studies can explore its potential for usage in human beings.