Rapid Single-Step Green Synthesis of Fructose-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles with Bactericidal Activity Against Selected Gram-Negative Foodborne Pathogens

Foodborne bacterial infections remain an important public health concern, creating a need for effective antimicrobial materials produced through safer and more sustainable methods. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are promising candidates because of their broad antimicrobial activity; however, conventional synthesis commonly involves multistep procedures and potentially hazardous reducing or stabilizing agents. This study presents a rapid, single-step synthesis of AgNPs using D-fructose as a carbohydrate-based reducing and stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles were produced within 3 min by heating an aqueous mixture of AgNO3 and D-fructose under controlled conditions. UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a surface plasmon resonance band centered at 427 nm, consistent with AgNP formation. X-ray diffraction revealed the characteristic (111), (200), (220), and (311) reflections of face-centered cubic metallic silver, with an estimated crystallite size of 24.7 ± 6.3 nm. Scanning electron microscopy showed nanometric structures with predominantly rounded and irregular morphologies organized into larger aggregates, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed Ag as the principal component of the analyzed material (92.92 mass% and 63.61 atom%). Carbon and oxygen were also detected, consistent with the presence of fructose-derived organic species. FTIR spectroscopy further supported this interpretation through the retention and modification of O–H- and C–O-associated bands in the AgNP spectrum. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028. MIC/MBC values were 375/750 ppm for E. coli and 4000/5500 ppm for S. typhimurium, demonstrating greater susceptibility of E. coli under the tested conditions. These findings demonstrate a rapid, aqueous, fructose-mediated route for producing crystalline and silver-rich nanostructures with antimicrobial activity, warranting further studies of coating performance, silver migration, activity in food matrices, and cytotoxicity before any food-contact application can be considered.