Antimicrobial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against the Foodborne Pathogen <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>

• Main Authors: Daniel Rivera-Mendoza (Author), Beatriz Quiñones (Author), Alejandro Huerta-Saquero (Author), Ernestina Castro-Longoria (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antibiotics13070650; 2079-6382
• Keywords: antibacterial activity; <i>Campylobacter</i>; food safety; foodborne pathogen; silver; copper oxide; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antibiotics, Vol 13, Iss 7, p 650 (2024)

<i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> is a major cause of global foodborne illnesses. To develop alternative antimicrobial strategies against <i>C. jejuni</i>, this study designed and optimized the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with intracellular components of the medicinal fungus <i>Ganoderma sessile</i> to provide the needed reducing and stabilizing agents. NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, and the quasi-spherical NPs had sizes of 2.9 ± 0.9 nm for the copper oxide NPs and 14.7 ± 0.6 nm for the silver NPs. Surface charge assessment revealed zeta potentials of −21.0 ± 6.5 mV and −24.4 ± 7.9 mV for the copper oxide and silver NPs, respectively. The growth inhibition of <i>C. jejuni</i> by the NPs occurred through attachment to the outer cell membrane and subsequent intracellular internalization and resulted in minimum inhibitory concentrations of the silver NPs at 6 µg/mL and copper oxide NPs at 10 µg/mL. On the other hand, a differential ROS production caused by silver and copper NPs was observed. In summary, this research presents the first demonstration of using green synthesis with the medicinal fungus <i>G. sessile</i> to produce metallic NPs that effectively inhibit <i>C. jejuni</i> growth, providing a sustainable and effective approach to the traditional use of antimicrobials.