Page 77 - ITPS-8-3

INNOSC Theranostics

and Pharmacological Sciences

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Antibacterial activity of green-synthesized silver

nanoparticles against Gram-negative bacteria
and insights into potential resistance mechanisms

1
Akamu J. Ewunkem * , Bliss Daodu , Zahirah J. Williams , Lydia Merrills ,
1
2
2
1
Brittany L. Justice , Felicia Simpson , David Holland , Tatyana Bowers , and
3
3
3
Uchenna Iloghalu 1
1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Physical Sciences, Winston-Salem State
University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
2 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Natural and Physical Sciences, Winston-Salem State University,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
3 Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural and Physical Sciences, Winston-Salem State
University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
Abstract

Gram-negative bacterial infections pose a serious public health challenge due
to their high global mortality rates and potential to cause severe complications.
Antibiotics – one of the most impactful medical innovations of the 20 century
th
– remain vital in treating life-threatening bacterial infections. However, the
*Corresponding author:
Akamu J. Ewunkem increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has made it progressively harder
(ewunkemaj@wssu.edu) to treat Gram-negative bacterial infections effectively. Therefore, nanoparticles
have gained attention as a promising alternative treatment owing to their
Citation: Ewunkem AJ, Daodu B,
Williams ZJ, et al. Antibacterial targeted antibacterial properties. Among the various synthesis methods, green
activity of green-synthesized silver synthesis is considered one of the most effective approaches for nanoparticle
nanoparticles against Gram- production. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a green
negative bacteria and insights into
potential resistance mechanisms. approach that utilized silver nitrate salt and an extract derived from carpenter
INNOSC Theranostics and bee wings (CBWs). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using
Pharmacological Sciences. spectroscopic techniques and scanning electron microscopy. Their antibacterial
2025;8(3):71-84.
doi: 10.36922/ITPS025080007 activity was tested against two pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria using the
broth dilution method. Furthermore, whole genome sequencing was conducted
Received: February 17, 2025
to assess the mutagenic effects of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on
Revised: June 3, 2025 the two bacterial strains. The results demonstrated that the green-synthesized
Accepted: June 11, 2025 silver nanoparticles exhibit notable antibacterial activity, likely through
electrostatic interactions that promote cell binding and induce significant
Published online: July 1, 2025
morphological alterations. Genomic analysis revealed mutations associated
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). with efflux pump regulation, neutralization, transport, energy metabolism, cell
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the division, biosynthetic pathways, adaptation, and invasion in the tested strains.
Creative Commons Attribution These findings demonstrate the potential of CBWs as a novel biological resource
License, permitting distribution, for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial properties.
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is However, the study also raises concerns regarding the potential for bacteria to
properly cited. develop resistance to nanoparticles over time.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Keywords: Carpenter bee wing extracts; Genomics; Gram-negative bacteria; Green
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional synthesis; Nanoparticles
affiliations.

Volume 8 Issue 3 (2025) 71 doi: 10.36922/ITPS025080007