Bovine serum albumin-mediated synthesis and quorum sensing inhibitory properties of Ag–Ag2S nanoparticles

Abstract

Aim: Quorum sensing (QS) is a density-dependent chemical process of cell-to-cell communication in which certain signals are activated, leading to the coordination of pathogenic behaviors and the regulation of virulence in bacteria. Inhibition of QS can prevent biofilm formation and reduce virulence behaviors of bacteria. Herein, bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated silver nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag–Ag2S@BSA NPs) were synthesized and studied as an anti-QS agent. Materials & methods: Ag–Ag2S NPs prepared through a BSA-mediated biomineralization process under ambient aqueous conditions and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The anti-QS activity of the resulting BSA-coated NPs (Ag–Ag2S@BSA NPs) was investigated for the first time. Results & conclusion: The result confirmed the potential of Ag–Ag2S@BSA NPs as novel and useful therapeutic tools for antibacterial purposes.