The antibacterial and anti-biofouling performance of biogenic silver nanoparticles by Lactobacillus fermentum.

Biofouling is a major challenge in the water industry and public health. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have excellent antimicrobial properties and are considered to be a promising anti-biofouling agent. A modified method was used to produce small sized and well-dispersed biogenic silver nanoparticles with a mean size of ~6 nm (Bio-Ag0-6) usingLactobacillus fermentum. The morphology, size distribution, zeta potential and oxidation state of the silver were systematically characterized. Determination of minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration results revealed that biogenic silver Bio-Ag0-6can effectively suppress the growth of the test bacteria. Additionally, the inhibition effects of Bio-Ag0-6on biofilm formation and on established biofilms were evaluated usingP. aeruginosa(ATCC 27853) as the model bacterium. The results from microtiter plates and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that Bio-Ag0-6not only exhibited excellent antibacterial performance but also could control biofilm formation and induce detachment of the bulk ofP. aeruginosabiofilms leaving a small residual matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]