PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIFUNGAL EFFICACY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST CANDIDA SPECIES

ARTI ZENDE; JAYANT PAWAR; CHITRA KHANWELKAR; ROHAN S PHATAK; PRIYANKA BIRLA; MANISH D SHIND

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i6.54631

Authors

ARTI ZENDE Department of Biotechnology, Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad, Maharashtra, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9579-9423
JAYANT PAWAR Department of Biotechnology, Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad, Maharashtra, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6995-3534
CHITRA KHANWELKAR Department of Pharmacology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad, Maharashtra, India
ROHAN S PHATAK Department of Pharmacognosy, Krishna Institute of Pharmacy, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad, Maharashtra, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7900-0633
PRIYANKA BIRLA Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune, Maharashtra India. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6392-0830
MANISH D SHIND Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune, Maharashtra India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4884-7553

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i6.54631

Keywords:

Silver nanoparticles, Candida species, Antifungal activity, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Co-precipitation method

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and assess their antifungal efficacy against Candida species.

Methods: AgNPs were synthesized using a co-precipitation method with silver nitrate and trisodium citrate and characterized via ultraviolet (UV)-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Antifungal activity was determined using the broth microdilution method in 96-well plates. Cytoplasmic leakage assays and FE-SEM imaging were performed to understand the nanoparticles’ mechanism of action.

Results: The UV-Vis spectrum showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 410 nm, indicating nanoparticle formation with a band gap of ~3.03 eV. XRD confirmed a face-centered cubic crystalline structure, and FE-SEM revealed roughly spherical AgNPs (14.69–47.82 nm). The minimum inhibitory concentration was 15 μg/mL, whereas minimum fungicidal concentrations ranged from 125 to 500 μg/mL. Two-way analysis of variance (p<0.001) showed significant antifungal activity, with C. albicans being the most susceptible. Paired t-tests (p<0.001) confirmed significant cytoplasmic leakage in all species following AgNP exposure.

Conclusion: AgNPs demonstrated potent antifungal effects against Candida spp. by disrupting cell membranes. These findings support AgNPs as a promising alternative for managing VVC.

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