ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING A TRADITIONAL PHYTOPRODUCT, ASAFOETIDA GUM AGAINST PERIODONTAL OPPORTUNISTIC PATHOGENS

search for new antimicrobial agents of herbal origin to combat antibiotic resistance. Development of biologically inspired green synthesis of silver nanoparticles is evolving into an important branch of nano-biotechnology. In the present investigation, we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) employing the aqueous extract of a traditional medicinal product consisting of an oleoresin (a combination of macromolecules of carbohydrates and proteins) exuded from the rhizome of the plant Ferula foetida (asafoetida gum) Methodology: The silver nanoparticles synthesized using asafoetida gum (As-AgNPs) were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity. against A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and T. forsythia by broth dilution method. Results: Among the tested microorganisms, P. gingivalis was the most sensitive organism against the biogenic AgNPs with an MIC value of 1.95 mg/ml; while T. forsythia was least sensitive against biogenic AgNPs (15.63 mg/ml). Conclusion: , The synthesized As-AgNPs were exhibited efficient antimicrobial activities against periodontal pathogens, respectively.