BackgroundSynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through biological route plays an important role in their applications in the medical field, especially in the prevention of disease causing microbial pathogens and arresting the propagation of cancer cells. The stable, green synthesis of AgNPs is very much welcomed in the medical field because of their low toxicity. Therefore, the demands of AgNPs synthesised biologically is on the rise. The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial mechanisms and anticancer properties of the AgNPs synthesized using the seed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. The AgNPs were characterized by UV–vis, SEM, XRD, FTIR and EDAX analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the AgNPs were determined by the broth micro dilution method.ResultsThe formation of brownish red color indicated the formation NPs with the absorption maximum at 420 nm. The average size was found to be 33.93 nm and sphere shaped. The FTIR spectrum revealed the absorption bands at 3340 cm−1 and 1635 cm−1 indicated the presence of —OH or —COOH and amide group stretching in the AgNPs. The X-ray diffraction report confirmed the presence of strong peak values of 2θ within the angle of 37.1°. The lowest MIC of the AgNPs against Staphylococcus aureus was 62.5 μg mL−1. MIC values against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, were 125 and 250 μg mL−1 respectively. The MIC of the AgNPs against Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichoderma viridiae were each 250 μg mL−1, respectively. The extracellular protein concentration, levels of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphtase enzyme in the AgNPs treated bacterial pathogens demonstrated greater antimicrobial mechanism. Additionally, the AgNPs exhibited significant anticancer activity against the MCF7 and Vero cell lines.ConclusionThe synthesized AgNPs could be further evaluated in large scale as a botanical antimicrobial agent.

Green and energy saving practices are in the increasing trend in order to preserve the natural environment and to meet the expectations and desires of green consumers. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of independent factors on adoption and implementation of environmental sustainability practices in the star hotels of Chennai city. Data was collected from participants representing different hotels from Chennai city. The questionnaire is prepared by using standard questions taken from review of literature. The sample is restricted to star hotels only. The results indicated that the factors making the hotels to think towards green and environment sustainable practices are savings and benefits observed in the adoption and implementation of energy efficiency, water efficiency, and reduction in the usage of toxic chemicals, purchases, lighting and landscape management of a hotel. This study clearly indicates that the active participation of hotels in the green and environment sustainability practices can further help in cost cutting and improving the return on investment in the years to come.

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