Therapeutic use of biologically produced sulfur nanoparticles from Allium fistulosum against antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens

AISHA SADDIQUA (Gomal Centre of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
SHAKEEB ULLAH (Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
MUHAMMAD SHUAIB KHAN (Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
SAIFUR REHMAN (Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
ADAMU ABDUL ABUBAKAR (Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Applied and Health Sciences, A'sharqiyah University. P.O. Box 42, Postal Code 400, Ibra, Oman)
KAMRAN SAFDAR (Institute of Chemical Sciences, Gomal University. Dera Ismail Khan University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
SUMERA ALI (Department of Livestock and Dairy Development, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
SADAF JAVARIA (Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Gomal University. University Rd, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
ARZO KANWAL (Department of Economics, University of Management and Technology. C-II, Johar Town, Lahore 54782, Punjab Pakistan)
SYEDA NAYAB BATOOL (School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab. Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore 54590, Punjab Pakistan)
FARHEEN BHATTI (Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University. Allama Iqbal Rd, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab Pakistan)
TEGUH HARI SUCIPTO (Dengue Study Group, Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia)
ARIF NUR MUHAMMAD ANSORI (Graduate School, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Airlangga 4-6, Campus B, Surabaya 60286, East Java, Indonesia)

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 25 No. 6 (2024)

Abstract. Saddiqua A, Ullah S, Khan MS, Rehman S, Abubakar AA, Safdar K, Ali S, Javaria S, Kanwal A, Batool SN, Bhatti F, Sucipto TH, Ansori ANM. 2024. Therapeutic use of biologically produced sulfur nanoparticles from Allium fistulosum against antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens. Biodiversitas 25: 2348-2354. Food spoilage is a significant issue since foodborne illnesses affect millionsworldwide. The main root cause of food spoilage is the presence of microbes, some of which show resistance to commercially available antibiotic drugs. Therefore, it is essential to search for fresh and effective antibacterial medications. Nanotechnology can give solutions to fight against foodborne pathogens. Sulfur nanoparticles show many beneficial and effective results as antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of biologically synthesized sulfur nanoparticles from Allium fistulosum to inhibit antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens. The green synthesis of sulfur nanoparticles was done by combining plant leaf extract with sodium sulfide. This study used the plant Allium fistulosum to make sulfur nanoparticles. The characterization of SNPs was done through a scanning electron microscope, UV spectrophotometer, fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Then, the antimicrobial properties of the bioengineered sulfur-based nanoparticles against foodborne pathogens were checked alone and in combination with market-available antibacterial agents. Aspergillus flavus and Salmonella typhi were among the foodborne pathogens against which SNPs' in-vitro antibacterial activity was tested. Sulfur nanoparticles from Allium fistulosum had 291 nm absorption spectra showing to be almost 100 nm in size and had a spherical shape. The strongest antibacterial efficacy against S. typhi was observed by SNPs (24 mm). Synergistic antibacterial action was seen when nanoparticles were combined with antibiotics of commercial importance. A noticeable antifungal effect against A. flavus was observed by combining SNPs with amphotericin B. The findings of in vitro studies prove that novely designed sulfur nanoparticle have profound impacts on microorganisms. It was also observed that the effect of antibiotics like ampicillin and amphotericin B was enhanced when coupled with nanoparticles.