Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Advantages of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microorganism-based synthesis of nanostructures has recently been noted as a green method for the sustainable development of nanotechnology. Nowadays, there have been numerous studies on the emerging resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungal isolates, the probable inability of bacteria and fungi to develop resistance against silver nanoparticles’ (SNPs) antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and, particularly antibacterial activities. In this study, we aim to use the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae model for synthesis of SNPs and to investigate its antifungal activity against some isolates of Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standard strain of S. cerevisiae was grown in liquid medium containing mineral salt; then, it was exposed to 2 mM AgNO(3). The reduction of Ag(+) ions to metal nanoparticles was virtually investigated by tracing the color of the solution, which turned into reddish-brown after 72 hours. Further characterization of synthesized SNPs was performed afterwards. In addition, antifungal activity of synthesized SNPs was evaluated against fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant isolates of Candida albicans. RESULTS: The UV-vis spectra demonstrated a broad peak centering at 410 nm, which is associated with the particle sizes much less than 70 nm. The results of TEM demonstrated fairly uniform, spherical and small in size particles with almost 83.6% ranging between 5 and 20 nm. The zeta potential of SNPs was negative and equal to -25.0 (minus 25) mv suggesting that there was not much aggregation. Silver nanoparticles synthesized by S. cerevisiae, showed antifungal activity against fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates, and exhibited MIC(90) values of 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: The yeast S. cerevisiae model demonstrated the potential for extracellular synthesis of fairly monodisperse silver nanoparticles.