Chitosan–capped silver nanoparticles against opportunistic and human pathogens: a promising weapon in the fight against infections

This pioneering study synthesises silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Carica papaya fruit extract and chitosan capping, yielding homogeneous, spherical nanoparticles prepared at an average size of 20 nm and characterised by SEM-EDAX and TEM. Antimicrobial activity studies showed that the opportunistic and human pathogenic ones, S. aureus, S. typhimurium and E. coli, were susceptible to the chitosan-capped AgNPs. This study signifies the novel synthesis approach, commensurate particle size, universal antimicrobial efficacy, and compilation of a comparative antibiotic resistance index. Chitosan-capped AgNPs acted effectively towards multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, which gives the opportunity to consider this material as a potential weapon in the fight against microbial infections, being eco-friendly.