Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Saccharothrix algeriensis and Preparation of Antifouling PES Membranes

This project primarily focuses on creating and examining silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the combination of Ag 2 SO 4 with a water-based extract obtained from Saccharothrix algeriensis . The resulting composite membrane, which blended AgNPs with polyethersulfone (PES), was used to filter E . coli . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and contact angle measurements were utilized to analyze the PES membrane blended with AgNPs. Additionally, an assessment was made of the biological effects of the AgNPs generated through the use of S . algeriensis extract, including their anti-biofilm, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cell viability inhibition, and DNA nuclease activities. The findings of the study indicate that the AgNPs displayed exceptional performance in various tests. These included a high level of efficacy in scavenging DPPH at 86.95%, demonstrating potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as pathogenic yeasts, and exhibiting robust chemical nuclease activity by breaking down plasmid DNA. Additionally, the tests conducted on cell survival rates revealed that AgNPs displayed a remarkable 99.99% efficacy in inhibiting growth. Moreover, the data obtained from measuring biofilm growth inhibition percentages indicated that Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus exhibited the highest levels of suppression, with rates of 98.42% and 90.20%, respectively. The study also found that the membrane surface and the membrane filtration process exhibited 100% antimicrobial activity when using 1% and 2% AgNPs-blended PES membrane.