Synthesis and Potential of Bio Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles for Use as Functional Material Against Foodborne Pathogens

The discovery of antimicrobial agents continues to develop in line with advances in materials science and technology, and in light of resistance to many pathogens. Nanoparticle-based materials offer enhanced food preservation from foodborne pathogens. In this study, the simple, eco-friendly and non-toxic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (GC-AgNPs) by goat colostrum is reported for the first time. Confirmation of synthesized GC-AgNPs is based on UV–Visible and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction method (PXRD). The PXRD study confirms that GC-AgNPs are 6.93 nm in size. The role of goat colostrum proteins in the reduction of silver ions (Ag⁺) to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is confirmed by FTIR analysis. The crystalline structure of the nanoparticles is determined by the XRD spectrum having characteristic peaks at (111), (200), (220), and (311) respectively, correlated with silver Bragg reflections. The antimicrobial potential of GC-AgNPs is studied using multiple bioassays. GC-AgNPs exhibit 93% DPPH scavenging activity. The antioxidant results of various bioassays show that GC-AgNPs have a strong ability to stabilize the oxidized metal ions and can accept the electron in anaerobic and anhydrous conditions. GC-AgNps represent the highest inhibition zone (40.27 mm) for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Aspergillus flavus (18.34 mm) and are highly biocompatible as cleared from their cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 615 ± 0.64 mg/mL) against L-929 fibroblast cell lines. Therefore, it can be concluded that non-toxic and antimicrobial GC-AgNPs may be used as potential antimicrobial agents against foodborne pathogens. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]