SLN and chitosan nano-delivery systems for antibacterial effect of black seed (<italic>Nigella sativa)</italic> oil against <italic>S. aureus</italic>.

<italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> with current universal importance represents a main carrier of emerging antimicrobial resistance determinatives of global health concerns that have developed drug resistance mechanisms to the various available antibiotics. On the other hand, due to the antimicrobial potential of <italic>Nigella Sativa</italic> oil (NSO), it was hypothesized that incorporation of nano-carriers (NS-SLN and NS-chitosan (CH) nanoparticles) can enhance its antibacterial effects. This study evaluated the physico-chemical and antibacterial characteristics of NS-SLN and NS-CH. TEM images revealed a round shape with clear edges for both nanoparticles, and the average sizes were reported to be 196.4 and 446.6 nm for NS-SLN and NS-CH, respectively. The zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency were −28.9 and 59.4 mV and 73.22% and 88% for NS-SLN and NS-CH, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for NSO, NS-SLN, and NS-CH against <italic>S. aureus</italic> were 480, 200, and 80 µg/mL, respectively. The results confirm significantly stronger antibacterial influences of NSO when loaded into chitosan nanoparticles as a potential candidate for nano-delivery of antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]