Herein, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), assisted by LED light, using the aqueous extracts of agroindustrial waste products, such as avocado seeds (ASs), cocoa pod husks (CPHs), and orange peels (OPs), is presented. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed faster and complete NP formation when irradiated with blue LED light. Green and red light irradiation showed non- and limited nanoparticle formation. TEM analyses confirmed the semispherical morphology of the synthesized AgNPs, with the exception of OP–AgNPs, which showed agglomeration during the light irradiation. For AS–AgNPs and CPH–AgNPs, the average particle diameter was about 15 nm. Interestingly, the CPH extract demonstrated faster nanoparticle formation as compared to the AS extract (100 min vs. 250 min irradiation time, respectively). FTIR spectroscopy assessed the involvement of diverse functional groups of the bioactive phytochemicals present in the plant extracts during nanoparticle photobiosynthesis. The antioxidant activity, as determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, varied from 1323.72 µmol TE/mL in the AS aqueous extract to 836.50 µmol TE/mL in the CPH aqueous extract. The total polyphenol content was determined according to the Folin–Ciocalteu procedure; the AS aqueous extract exhibited a higher polyphenol content (1.54 mg GAE/g) than did the CPH aqueous extract (0.948 mg GAE/g). In vitro antibacterial assays revealed that the AS–AgNPs exhibited promising antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria (E. Coli), whereas the CPH–AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The green synthesis of AgNPs using AS, CPH, and OP aqueous extracts reported in this work is environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and it paves the way for future studies related to agroindustrial waste valorization for the production of advanced nanomaterials, such as antibacterial AgNPs, for potential biomedical, industrial, and environmental applications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.