Antibacterial Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles-Loaded Locust Bean Gum/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels

Abstract

Nanoparticles are important, and nowadays, they are widely used in medical fields due to their antibacterial activity. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-loaded locust bean gum (LBG)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels were prepared by the gel casting method. AgNPs synthesized by fig leaf extract (FLE) were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to confirm the formation of AgNPs. The developed silver nanoparticle-impregnated locust bean gum/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy for identifying chemical structure such as chemical bonds and for the morphological characterizations of hydrogels, respectively. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to study the stability of hydrogel. The antibacterial properties of LBG/PVA/AgNP hydrogels against Gram-negative bacteria such asE. coliandP. aeruginosaand Gram-positive bacteria such asS. aureusandE. faecaliswere evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentrations method and disc diffusion method. Finally, AgNPs synthesized using the FLE and LBG/PVA/AgNP hydrogels showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In summary, the newly prepared LBG/PVA/AgNP hydrogels have promising antibacterial properties.