The Mechanistic Action of Biosynthesised Silver Nanoparticles and Its Application in Aquaculture and Livestock Industries

Simple Summary Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been employed in various fields of studies due to their impeccable ability as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agent. AgNPs are generally synthesised via three methods, which are the chemical, physical and biological methods, with the biological method being the preferred method recently due to the capability of synthesizing nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes to enhance antimicrobial activity and reduced environmental effects. In recent years, AgNPs have been employed in the aquaculture, livestock and poultry industries to combat pathogens. This review is centred on the cytotoxic mechanistic action of AgNPs, which contributes to its application against pathogens in the aquaculture, livestock and poultry industries. Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field due to the emergence of various resistant pathogens and the failure of commercial methods of treatment. AgNPs have emerged as one of the best nanotechnology metal nanoparticles due to their large surface-to-volume ratio and success and efficiency in combating various pathogens over the years, with the biological method of synthesis being the most effective and environmentally friendly method. The primary mode of action of AgNPs against pathogens are via their cytotoxicity, which is influenced by the size and shape of the nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of the AgNPs gives rise to various theorized mechanisms of action of AgNPs against pathogens such as activation of reactive oxygen species, attachment to cellular membranes, intracellular damage and inducing the viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) of pathogens. This review will be centred on the various theorized mechanisms of actions and its application in the aquaculture, livestock and poultry industries. The application of AgNPs in aquaculture is focused around water treatment, disease control and aquatic nutrition, and in the livestock application it is focused on livestock and poultry.