Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Structural Integrity of Yeast Cell Walls

Debabrata Das and Giasuddin Ahmed*

Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Jalukbari, Guwahati – 781014, Assam, India.

Accepted 21 November, 2024

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly finding applications in health care and consumer products. Although the bactericidal properties of silver nanoparticles are well documented, there is scant data available on their effect on eukaryotic cells. We report results from experiments concerning the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A novel method of nanoparticle synthesis in yeast malt media was achieved. Characterization of particles by electron microscopy and XRD revealed a mean particle size of 8.6 nm. Micrographs of cells treated with nanoparticles revealed deposition on and extensive damage to cell wall/membranes. Observations on membrane damage were confirmed by an in vitro cell permeability assay.

Keywords: Silver nanoparticle, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Transmission electron microscopy.