Facile fabrication of Annona squamosa L. seed extract mediated silver nanoparticles challenged against biofilm forming oral pathogens

Green synthesis of nanoparticles remains to be one of the promising and fascinating approaches in material science research. Although, metal based nanoparticles were shown to possess potent antibacterial effect, challenges pertaining to counter biofilms still exist. In this context, the seed extract of the Annona squamosa fruit was used in fabricating nanosilver and challenged against oral biofilm forming bacteria. The seed extract was used to reduce silver nitrate into nanosilver under optimized laboratory conditions. Characterization studies were performed using spectroscopic and electron microscopic analyzes. Antibacterial study was determined using agar diffusion method and the results validated. Phytochemicals present in the seed extract was found to effectively reduce the metal precursor into nanoform. UV-vis spectral analysis showed typical absorbance (lambda max) of AgNPs in the range of 400-450 nm with spherical shaped particles and nanocrystals as revealed from XRD studies. Significant antimicrobial effect toward Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in a dose dependent fashion could be achieved on par with control. Adoption of green chemistry principles in fabricating the nanoparticles could help reduce the adverse effects induced from the one synthesized using chemical methods. Their application might be commercialized prior to cytotoxicity studies and in vivo animal models.