Synergistic antimicrobial action of phyco-synthesized silver nanoparticles and nano-fungal chitosan composites against drug resistant bacterial pathogens

Here we report the phycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), usingCodium capitatumextract, and the synthesis of fungal chitosan nanoparticles (FC-NPs), using extracted chitosan fromAspergillus nigermycelia. Then nanoconjugates from FC/Ag-NPs were produced and evaluated. The synthesized NPs had mean particles' size diameters of 37.2, 68.4 and 79.6 nm for Ag-NPs, FC-NPs and FC/Ag-NPs, respectively. The FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis of synthesized NPs indicated their cross-linkage and interaction. The antibacterial activity of each type of NPs was assayed against drug resistant pathogens ofSalmonellaTyphimurium andStaphylococcus aureus. All NPs had powerful inhibitory effect and FC/Ag nanoconjugates had stronger activity than the other types. Scanning micrographs of FC/Ag-NPs treatedS. Typhimurium elucidated vigorous alterations in cell surfaces and lethal damage to bacterial structure after 8 h of treatment. The nanoconjugates form FC-NPs and Ag-NPs had minute particle size with increasing bioactivity as antimicrobial agents to control drug resistant bacterial pathogens, which recommends their further exploration for topical applications in biomedical sectors.