Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Characterization of Rajath Bhasma and Evaluation of Its Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryos and Its Antimicrobial Activity

  • Kalimuthu, Kalishwaralal (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kim, Ji Min (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Subburaman, Chandramohan (Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam University) ;
  • Kwon, Woo Young (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Hwang, Sung Hyun (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Jeong, Sehan (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Jo, Min Geun (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kim, Hyung Joo (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University) ;
  • Park, Ki Soo (Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University)
  • Received : 2019.11.11
  • Accepted : 2020.03.16
  • Published : 2020.06.28
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Abstract

In India, nanotechnology has been used in therapeutic applications for several millennia. One example of a traditional nanomedicine is Rajath Bhasma (also called calcined silver ash), which is used as an antimicrobial and for the treatment of various ailments and conditions such as memory loss, eye diseases, and dehydration. In this study, we aimed to characterize the physical composition and morphology of Rajath Bhasma and its suitability for use as a non-toxic antimicrobial agent. First, Rajath Bhasma was physically characterized via i) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze the surface functional groups, ii) scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to observe the morphology and elemental composition, and iii) X-ray diffraction to determine the crystalline phases. Thereafter, functional characterization was performed through toxicity screening using zebrafish embryos and through antimicrobial activity assessment against gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Rajath Bhasma was found to harbor alkene, hydroxyl, aldehyde, and amide functional groups originating from biological components on its surface. The main component of Rajath Bhasma is silver, with particle size of 170-210 nm, and existing in the form of spherical aggregates with pure crystalline silver structures. Furthermore, Rajath Bhasma did not exert toxic effects on zebrafish embryos at concentrations below 5 ㎍/ml and exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The present results indicate that Rajath Bhasma is a potentially effective antimicrobial agent without toxicity when used at concentrations below 5 ㎍/ml.

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