Surface Morphology, Porosity and Antibiofilm Activity of Orthosiphon aristatus-Phytosynthesized–Silver Nanoparticles Supported Zeolite A

The development of stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) is paramount in preventing the build-up of pathogenic biofilms. AgNP also requires a suitable support system to deliver the AgNP directly to the bacteria. Herein, AgNP-supported zeolite A was prepared via the in situ phytosynthesis method using Orthosiphon aristatus extract based on our previous work. The optimal condition of AgNP biosynthesis was achieved at 0.4 mL of the leaf extract in 10 mL AgNO₃ 1 mM. The AgNP was incorporated into zeolite A using the in situ approach. The developed materials were characterized by their porosity, surface area, thermogravimetry, and zeta potential. The morphology of samples was distinguished using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The distribution of AgNP into the macroporous zeolite A was measured according to the reduction of specific pore volume from 0.1033 to 0.0346 cm³/g. Anti-biofilm and morphological assessments revealed that AgNP-supported zeolite A induced a good biofilm inhibition against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (p < 0.0001) than Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 1 mg/mL because of less intolerance against AgNP. The biofilm formation was reduced by more than 50% and 15%, respectively, compared to the untreated bacteria. Bacteria tend to attach to the zeolite surface, and the AgNP incorporated in the zeolite would easily interact with the bacteria, inducing peptide bond alteration, which leads to structural disintegration. Therefore, these AgNP-supported zeolite materials exhibited the ‘cut its source’ strategy to capitulate the biofilm inhibition action.