Optimizing Cyanobacterial Strain Selection for Antimicrobial Nanoparticle Synthesis: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) with antimicrobial properties from cyanobacterial biomass. Silver (AgNP), copper (CuNP), and zinc (ZnNP) nanoparticles were prepared from exopolysaccharides (EPSs) obtained from isolated cyanobacterial strains. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated, and compared with CuNPs and ZnNPs, AgNPs were found to have a greater capacity to inhibit bacterial growth. The main factors influencing antimicrobial activity are the concentration and type of metal used. Using an optimized experimental design, specific conditions were established to maximize the antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesized NPs. The characterization of the nanoparticles included UV–VIS, FTIR, and EDX techniques, which confirmed the formation and purity of the AgNPs. This study highlights the effectiveness of cyanobacterial EPS as a reducing and stabilizing agent and provides a sustainable and efficient alternative for producing nanoparticles with biomedical applications.