Title : Bio-stabilized silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications in oral healthcare

Dental caries and oral microbial infections remain major global health concerns, necessitating the development of effective and biocompatible antimicrobial agents. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as promising candidates owing to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, high surfacearea-to-volume ratio, and ability to disrupt microbial biofilms. However, conventional synthesis methods often involve toxic chemicals that limit biomedical applicability.

This study focuses on the development of bio-stabilized silver nanoparticles using eco-friendly and sustainable capping agents derived from natural biomaterials, including vegetable and fruit waste extracts as well as biocompatible polymers such as carboxymethyl cellulose. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using physicochemical techniques to evaluate particle size distribution, morphology, stability, and zeta potential. 
The antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs was investigated against major oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Actinomyces israelii, which are strongly associated with dental plaque formation and caries progression. The nanoparticles demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against these organisms, suggesting enhanced antimicrobial performance and biofilm disruption potential. Furthermore, the incorporation of AgNPs into a prototype mouthwash formulation highlighted their applicability in preventive oral healthcare.

The findings indicate that bio-stabilized AgNPs provide a sustainable and effective nanotherapeutic strategy for combating oral microbial infections while minimizing environmental toxicity. This work contributes toward the advancement of nanotechnology-based oral healthcare products with improved antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility.

Dr. Archi Ghosh is currently serving as a Senior Resident in the Department of Microbiology at Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital – North Kolkata. She holds a Ph.D. in Nanomedicine from the University of Calcutta and has also completed postdoctoral research at the School of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Jadavpur University. Her research expertise includes nanomedicine, microbiology, molecular biology, and antimicrobial therapeutics. She has collaborated with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany and has published several research articles in various reputed journals.