Green Synthesis and Integration of Silver Nanoparticles into Antimicrobial Soaps for Improved Healthcare Hygiene

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging infections from either Nosocomial or zoonotic origin are a serious threat to human health, especially in developing countries like Pakistan where Infections Prevention and Control measures are lacking. Out of every 100 patients, 7 in high- and 15 in low-/middle-income countries (LMIC) will acquire at least one HAI, in acute care hospitals and 1 in every 10 affected patients dies of HAI. Similarly, the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases significantly impact human health, particularly those who live in impoverished areas and have close contact with domestic or wild animals. First step in Infection prevention and control (IPC) is personal hygiene. 50 % of such infections can be controlled just by maintaining hand hygiene. Antibacterial soaps or disinfectants are used in households, hospitals and livestock industry which are mostly imported, costly and can only target bacteria along with being toxic, having a negative impact to environment and often contributing towards antimicrobial resistance. There is a need to introduce locally made anti-microbial soaps and solutions impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using green synthesis method. AgNPs have the ability to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Green synthesis will be adopted to synthesize AgNPs to minimize the negative impacts of synthetic procedures and to develop environmentally benign procedures. In this project, locally available Aloe vera (Aloe vera), Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extracts mediated green synthesis of AgNPs will be performed. The synthesized AgNPs will be characterized by UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These AgNPs will be added in soap and solutions prepared by the saponification of vegetable oil. The soap and solutions containing AgNPs will be tested for antibacterial and antifungal potential.