Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Cymbopogon citratus Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are toxic to microorganisms and can potentially kill multidrug-resistant bacteria. Nanoparticles can be synthesized in many ways, such as physical or chemical methods. Recently, it has been found that plant molecules can perform the same reduction reactions necessary for the production of nanoparticles but in a much more efficient way. Results: Here, green chemistry was employed to synthesize AgNPs using leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus. The effects of different parameters such as temperature, pH, and the volume of plant extract were also tested using their absorbance pattern at different wavelengths. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) changed with the changes in parameters. Changes in temperature from 20 °C to 60 °C have changed the highest absorbance from 0.972 to 3.893 with an SPR of 470 nm. At higher pH (11.1), the particles become highly unstable and have irregular shapes and sizes. The peak shifts to the right at a lower pH level (3.97), indicating a smaller but unstable compound. We have also investigated the effect of the volume of plant extracts on the reaction time. The sample with the highest amount of plant extract showed the most absorbance with a value of 0.963 at λmax, calculated to be 470 nm. The total formation of the AgNPs was observed visually with a color change from yellow to brownish-black. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to monitor the quantitative formation of AgNPs, showing a signature peak in absorbance between 400 and 500 nm. We have estimated the size of the nanoparticles as 47 nm by comparing the experimental data with the theoretical value using Mieplot. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity against several multidrug-resistant bacteria, determined based on the minimal inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that an aqueous extract of C. citratus can synthesize AgNPs when silver nitrate is used as a precursor, and AgNPs act as antimicrobial property enhancers, which can be used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Hence, mass production and green synthesis of AgNPs from C. citratus will be able to increase the overall health of the general population. Moreover, it will enormously reduce the costs for drug development and provide employment options in the remotely located source areas. Finally, our findings will influence further studies in this field to better understand the properties and applications of AgNPs and ultimately contribute to improving planetary health by increasing immunity with high biocompatibility and less drug toxicity.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using a Lythrum salicaria Extract and In Vitro Exploration of Their Biological Activities

“…AgNPs synthesis by means of green methods represents the focus of scientists, given that they imply lower costs and ease in the monitoring and sampling processes. Moreover, plants are easy to grow and safe to handle, and, implicitly, this type of eco-friendly synthesis could replace chemical techniques for obtaining AgNPs [ 29 ]. The steps implied by AgNPs synthesis are represented by the reduction of Ag + and agglomeration of colloidal nanoparticles with oligomeric clusters formation [ 30 ].…”

“…When analyzing the UV-Vis spectra, no absorption peak was observed in the 300–600 range for either the extract or AgNO 3 solution, but a distinct peak at 410 nm was revealed for the obtained colloidal solution. This peak could be due to excitation of SPR [ 31 ], which could determine the optical, physical and chemical properties of AgNPs [ 29 ]. The presence of a single SPR peak could explain the spherical shape of AgNPs [ 32 ].…”

“…Nonetheless, these conditions can also lead to modifications in the shape and size of AgNPs. A wide peak generally indicates larger particles [ 29 ]. Moreover, their shape can be predicted considering the position of the SPR band, for example, in the 400–490 nm range, the particles are spherical [ 33 ].…”

Biomedical applications of multifunctional magnetoelectric nanoparticles

“…Due to their unique optical, magnetic, electronic, and chemical properties and capacity for multiplexing, nanoparticles have been useful in diagnostics, drug delivery and biomedical imaging. [1][2][3] NPs have also been used to advance tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology by developing an effective cell/tissue-biomaterial interface to support biological functions. 1,4,5 In particular, particles with both magnetic and electric properties have attracted specific interest because of the tremendous potential for targeted drug delivery and control of biological functions.…”

Microwave-assisted green synthesis ofDesmodium triquetrum-mediated silver nanoparticles: enhanced antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxicity activities against human breast cancer cell lines

“…14 Plant-mediated synthesis provides major benefits, including its ease of monitoring, low time consumption, low cost, and effective replacement of chemicals in the reduction process, and is the safest choice to produce silver nanoparticles. 5,15,16 Recent studies have reported that parts of the plant used for biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are roots, 17 leaves, [18][19][20] seeds 21,22 and bark. 23 Plant extracts contain many bioactive compounds (e.g.…”