Prunus persica leaves aqueous extract mediated biosynthesis of Ag nanoparticles and assessment of its anti-quorum sensing potential against Hafnia species

Abstract Hafnia sp. was one of the specific spoilage bacteria in aquatic products, and the aim of the study was to investigate the inhibition ability of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesis by an aqueous extract of Prunus persica leaves toward the spoilage-related virulence factors of Hafnia sp. The synthesized P-AgNPs were spherical, with a mean particle size of 36.3 nm and zeta potential of 21.8 ± 1.33 mV. In addition, the inhibition effects of P-AgNPs on the growth of two Hafnia sp. strains and their quorum sensing regulated virulence factors, such as the formation of biofilm, secretion of N-acetyl-homoserine lactone (AHLs), proteases, and exopolysaccharides, as well as their swarming and swimming motilities were evaluated. P-AgNPs had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 64 μg ml−1 against the two Hafnia sp. strains. When the concentration of P-AgNPs was below MIC, it could inhibit the formation of biofilms by Hafnia sp at 8–32 μg ml−1, but it promoted the formation of biofilms by Hafnia sp at 0.5–4 μg ml−1. P-AgNPs exhibited diverse inhibiting effects on AHLs and protease production, swimming, and swarming motilities at various concentrations.