Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

silver nanoparticles, harvested mushroom substrate, bacteria, Methicillin-resitant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis ii

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has recently emerged as a major concern in microbial infections, and nanotechnology offers a promising solution to the need for novel antimicrobial agents. Among nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are notable in biology and medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties. The use of harvested mushroom substrate (HMS) waste for AgNP synthesis remains underexplored, particularly in relation to its antibacterial effects on multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacteria, and this study addresses this gap to promote innovative, eco-friendly approaches in combating antimicrobial resistance. HMS underwent sun-drying, with slices immersed in 200 mL distilled water to produce HMS aqueous extract (AEHMS), serving as the medium for synthesizing AgNPs, which were analyzed and characterized. Antibacterial tests showed that AgNPs exhibited a concentration-dependent effect on Methicillin- resitant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with the 100% concentration producing the largest zones of inhibition, while no significant differences were observed in Enterococcus faecalis across all concentrations. These findings suggest that HMS-derived AgNPs could serve as a viable alternative, particularly where antibiotic access is limited or resistance is high; and while not yet equal to commercial antibiotics, their ability to inhibit bacterial growth, especially in resistant strains, makes them promising, with future research needed to standardize synthesis parameters to optimize nanoparticle morphology and efficacy.

First Advisor

Ramgie M. Bartolata, LPT

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