The role of bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanomaterials: A state-of-the-art review

• Published in: Journal of microbiological methods 2023-09, Vol.212, p.106809-106809, Article 106809
• Main Authors: Dey, Gobinda, Patil, Maheshkumar Prakash, Banerjee, Aparna, Sharma, Raju Kumar, Banerjee, Pritam, Maity, Jyoti Prakash, Singha, Shuvendu, Taharia, Md, Shaw, Arun Kumar, Huang, Hsien-Bin, Kim, Gun-Do, Chen, Chien-Yen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial; Exopolysaccharide; Macromolecules; Multi drug resistant; Silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0167-7012; 1872-8359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106809

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens poses a significant global health concern due to the failure of conventional medical treatment. As a result, the development of several metallic (Ag, Au, Zn, Ti, etc.) nanoparticles, has gained prominence as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Among these, green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention due to their notable efficiency and broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) have recently emerged as a promising biological substrate for the green synthesis of AgNPs. EPS possess polyanionic functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxylic, sulfate, and phosphate) that effectively reduce and stabilize AgNPs. EPS-mediated AgNPs exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microbes, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi. The extraction and purification of bacterial EPS play a vital role in obtaining high-quality and -quantity EPS for industrial applications. This study focuses on the comprehensive methodology of EPS extraction and purification, encompassing screening, fermentation optimization, pretreatment, protein elimination, precipitation, and purification. The review specifically highlights the utilization of bacterial EPS-mediated AgNPs, covering EPS extraction, the synthesis mechanism of green EPS-mediated AgNPs, their characterization, and their potential applications as antimicrobial agents against pathogens. These EPS-mediated AgNPs offer numerous advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and eco-friendliness, making them a promising alternative to traditional antimicrobials and opening new avenues in nanotechnology-based approaches to combat microbial infections. [Display omitted] •Green synthesize silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) as a potential agent for antimicrobial activity.•EPS is potential reducing and stabilizing agent for AgNPs synthesis.•Details methodology on EPS extraction and purification.•Synthesis mechanism of EPS mediated AgNPs.•Mechanism of EPS-AgNPs in antimicrobial activity.