Antifungal Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthe‌sized From Capparis Spinosa Fruit

Abstract

Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) are colloidal systems with particles ranging from 10 to 100 nm in diameter. Because of their large surface-volume ratio, NPs are biologically active materials that could interact with biomolecules and microorganisms, enter into the cells, and affect the metabolic functions. The study aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from Capparis spinosa fruit aqueous extract, and evaluate their Ag nanostructure characterization and antifungal activity.Materials and Methods: Capparis spinosa fruit aqueous was prepared with the percolation method. Then, silver NPs were synthesized using 0.01 M silver nitrate solution, and their formation was validated by color changing of the solution from green to dark brown . The NPs were purified using centrifugation and then dried in an oven for further analyses. Ag-NPs nanostructure characterization was determined by various techniques such as Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Antifungal activity of Ag-NPs against three pathogenic fungi of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Kluyveromyces marxianus was also evaluated using the microdilution method.Results: Synthesis of Ag-NPs from aqueous extract of C. spinosa fruit was done successfully. UV-Vis spectrum of Ag-NPs showed an absorbance peak around 420 nm, revealing Ag-NPs surface plasmon resonance (K max ). FTIR analysis showed that functional groups correspond to plant bioactive components, promoting the formation of Ag-NPs. Furthermore, spherical uniformity of the synthesized Ag-NPs from plant extract was confirmed by SEM analysis within the 50-80 nm size range. Our results showed that the produced Ag-NPs were spherical and in a suitable form and size (50-80 nm). The biosynthesized Ag-NPs had an inhibitory effect against all tested fungi with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 2500, 5000, and 625 µg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration of 10000, 10000, and 156.25 µg/mL for C. albicans, C. glabrata, and K. marxianus, respectively. Conclusion:According to the UV-Vis spectrum, FTIR, and SEM results, we succeeded in synthesizing Ag-NPs from C. spinosa fruit aqueous extract. This research was the first report of Ag-NPs synthesized from aqueous extract of C. spinosa fruit. Our simple, quick, and inexpensive method for biosynthesis of a nanoparticle, which showed antifungal activity, provides a new potential antifungal agent for therapeutic applications.

Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Thymus daenensis (Celak) Flora and Investigation of Its Antifungal Activity

“…200 ml of deionized water was added to 10 grams of powdered thyme leaves in an Erlenmeyer flask and heated at 70 °C for 50 min. After reaching room temperature, the extract was first passed through filter paper, centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 150 min, and stored in a refrigerator at 4 °C as described previously [21,22].…”

Caper (Capparis spinosa L.): An Updated Review on Its Phytochemistry, Nutritional Value, Traditional Uses, and Therapeutic Potential

“…From other perspectives, the copper nanoparticles prepared from the aqueous extract from the fruits showed significant antibacterial activity with MIC of 5-10 mg/mL against S. aureus PTCC1112, B. cereus PTCC1556, E. coli PTCC1330, and K. pneumoniae PTCC1053 (Ebrahimi et al, 2017). Likewise, silver nanoparticles prepared from aqueous fruit extract disclosed significant antifungal activity with MIC values ranging from 5 mg/mL to 0.625 mg/mL (Ebrahimi et al, 2019). Caper extracts rather were active against some fungal strains including Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Kluyveromyces marxianus.…”