Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Exopolysaccharide from Lactobacillus Paracasei and Evaluation of their Antibacterial, Anti-biofilm, and Antioxidant Properties

Although there are different methods for the production of nanoparticles, today the synthesis of nanoparticles with biological methods has attracted the attention of researchers because it is an easy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective method. The present study investigates the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Lactobacillus paracasei (MN809528) exopolysaccharide and studies the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and antioxidant properties.

For the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, 30 ml of 1% exopolysaccharide (0.1 g) solution was added to an equal volume of 1 mM aqueous HAuCl4 solution and mixed well using stirred (180 rpm) for 48 h at room temperature. The characterization of synthesized gold nanoparticles was performed using UV-VIS, FT-IR, DLS, XRD, EDX, FE-SEM spectroscopic analysis. Antibacterial activity of produced gold nanoparticles by agar well diffusion method, anti-biofilm activity by 96 well microplate dilution method, and antioxidant activity of nanoparticles using DPPH radical adsorption capability were examined.

Spectroscopic data showed the presence of a peak at 524 nm, which is specific to gold nanoparticles. Examination of the shape and size of nanoparticles with FE-SEM showed that the produced nanoparticles were spherical in shape and their average size is 2o-50 nm. Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles at a concentration of 50 µg /ml was observed against all bacterial tests. However, the highest antibacterial activity was observed against Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC 17978). In the present study, the gold nanoparticles produced acted as biofilm and DPPH radical inhibitors.

The results of the study show that Lactobacillus paracasei (MN809528) is a good biological source for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The study is the first report on the production of gold nanoparticles by exopolysaccharides isolated from indigenous lactic acid bacteria.