Facile Algae-Derived Route to Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles is of considerable interest, as it affords clean, biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective fabrication. Driven by their ability to withstand variable extremes of environmental conditions, several microorganisms, notably bacteria and fungi, have been investigated in the never-ending search for optimal nanomaterial production platforms. Here, we present a hitherto unexplored algal platform featuring Chlorella pyrenoidosa, which offers a high degree of consistency in morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles. Using a suite of characterization methods, we reveal the intrinsic crystallinity of the algae-derived nanoparticles and the functional moieties associated with its surface stabilization. Significantly, we demonstrate the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of these silver nanoparticles and discuss the potential mechanisms that drive these critical processes. The blend of photocatalytic and antibacterial properties coupled with their intrinsic biocompatibility and eco-friendliness make these nanoparticles particularly attractive for wastewater treatment.

Leveraging the Attributes of Mucor hiemalis-Derived Silver Nanoparticles for a Synergistic Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Platform

“…Recent reports in the literature have illustrated the bactericidal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; Rai et al, 2009; Aziz et al, 2015). Ingle et al (2008) have shown that AgNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus , while Pal et al (2007) have studied the impact of nanoparticle architecture on the antibacterial activity against E. coli .…”

“…In addition to being eco-friendly, the emerging microbial synthesis route is also economical owing to significant reduction in downstream processing requirements. Inspired by the microbe’s ability to function under divergent extremes of temperature, pressure, and pH, several bacterial and algal chassis have been explored over the last decade by several groups, including our own laboratory (Nanda and Saravanan, 2009; Jain et al, 2011; Pantidos and Horsfall, 2014; Aziz et al, 2015; Patel et al, 2015). Notably, fungal-derived nanoparticle production shares these salient advantages and further combines facile scale up opportunities, economic viability, convenient processing and biomass handling, and faster biosynthesis rate in cell-free filtrate (due to the higher amount of proteins secreted in fungi with respect to bacteria) (Prasad et al, 2016).…”

A new report of Nocardiopsis valliformis strain OT1 from alkaline Lonar crater of India and its use in synthesis of silver nanoparticles with special reference to evaluation of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity

“…Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles by different microorganisms such as bacteria [23–26], fungi [7, 27]; algae [28–30], plants [31–34], actinomycetes [15, 20, 35] and myxobacteria [36] has been attempted by many researchers. Among these organisms, the synthesis of nanoparticles by actinobacteria has been less known [37].…”

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Wheat Straw Biomass under Light Radiation and their Antibacterial Activity

“…The maximum AgNPs synthesis was achieved after 90 min (Fig. 1D), and the reaction rate was more rapid than that reported in previous studies (Wei et al 2012;Das et al 2013;Ng et al 2013;Aziz et al 2015;Dhand et al 2016). …”