Synergistic antibacterial
effect of streptomycin-loaded starch nanocrystals with antibiotics Ciprofloxacin
and Polymyxin B
Neethu H., Swapna T.S. and Ananthakrishnan J.N.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(3); 35-43;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/203rjbt035043; (2025)
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance among various bacteria is a major challenge in the medical
field. In the present study, we used streptomycin-loaded starch nanocrystals (SSNCs)
to assess its synergistic antibacterial effect with two antibiotics, ciprofloxacin
and polymyxin B to combat drug-resistant bacteria. The streptomycin-loaded starch
nanocrystals were structurally characterized using FTIR and SEM to confirm their
improved properties. FTIR analysis revealed the possible interaction between streptomycin
and starch nanocrystals by measuring its absorbance, thereby confirming that the
streptomycin could effectively load onto starch nanocrystals. The SEM images of
the modified starch nanocrystals revealed the aggregated topography of streptomycin-loaded
starch nanocrystals.
Additionally, SSNCs could prolong the sustained release of streptomycin for more
than one week. The synergistic antimicrobial activity due to the combination of
SSNCs with two antibiotics, polymyxin and ciprofloxacin, emphasized the role of
starch nanocrystals as a nanocarrier for different antibiotics and this combination
approach will enable the reduction of their effective doses. Therefore, the present
study on using a combination of SSNCs and antibiotics suggests its potential use
as a strategy to combat different pathogens.
