Mentha piperita Silver Nanoparticles Controlling the Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria and Fungi – A Study

Aim: Plant based nanoparticle was considered to be potential agent to control the drug resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Mentha piperita leaf extract was used to prepare silver nanoparticles to control three Gram negative pathogens and two phytopathogenic Fungi. Materials and Methods: Mentha piperita leaf extract has been treated with 1mM AgNO3 to prepare silver nanoparticles which has been confirmed by UV-VIS spectroscopy, TEM, Zeta potential, XRD analysis and FTIR. Potential of AgNPs has been tested versus Escherichia coli (ATCC8739), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC700603) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6338) and Fungi P. exigua (MTCC-2315) and Fusarium tricinctum (MTCC-2080) by disc diffusion method along with fuconazole (10µg) and streptomycin (10µg). Results: AgNPs controlled the existing drug resistance in both bacteria and fungi when used either alone or in combination with drug, which has indicated the success of Mentha piperita leaf extract in preparing AgNPs with this potential. Conclusion: Mentha piperita leaf extract proves its feature to prepare AgNPs having antibacterial and antifungal activity and can even be useful in controlling drug resistance of pathogens.