Green Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles using Euphorbia serpens Kunth Aqueous Extract, Their Characterization, and Investigation of Its In Vitro Antioxidative, Antimicrobial, Insecticidal, and Cytotoxic Activities

Abstract

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via green synthesis approach using Euporbia serpens Kunth aqueous extract. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Furrier Transformer Infra-Red spectroscopy to justify the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs from its precursors. AgNPs characteristic absorption peak was observed at 420 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The SEM and TEM analysis demonstrated the spherical shape of the synthesized nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 30 nm to 80 nm. FTIR transmission bands at 2920 cm-1, 1639 cm-1, 1410 cm-1, 3290 cm-1, and 1085 cm-1 were attributed to C-H, C=O, C-C, N-H, and C-N functional groups, respectively. XRD peaks could be attributed to (111), (200), (220), and (311) crystalline plane of the faced-centered cube (FCC) crystalline structure of the metallic silver nanoparticles. The AgNPs showed good antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria at each concentration. The particles were found to be more active against Escherichia coli (E. coli) with 20 ± 06 mm and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) with 18 ± 0.5 mm zone of inhibition in reference to standard antibiotic amoxicillin with 23 ± 0.3 mm and 20 ± 0.4 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. Moderate antifungal activities were observed against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Alternaria alternata (A. alternata) with zone of inhibitions 16.5 mm and 15 mm, respectively, compared to the standard with 23 mm of inhibition. Insignificant antifungal inhibition of 7.5 mm was observed against Fusarium gramium (F. gramium). All the tested concentrations of AgNPs showed comparable % RSA with the standard reference ascorbic acid in the range sixty percent to seventy five percent. The percent motility at 3 hours postincubation showed quick response and most Tetramorium caespitum were found deceased or paralyzed. Similarly, the percent mortality showed a linear response at concentration and time. It was observed that 1 μg/mL to 2 μg/mL concentration of AgNPs displayed a significant cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina with LD50 of 5.37 and 5.82, respectively.

Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Three Sonchus Species

“…The major issue for the modern healthcare industry is to overcome pathogen resistance to antimicrobial agents and diseases caused by oxidative stress. Silver nanoparticles are also effective antiangiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and antiviral agents [ 1 , 2 ]. They are food plant species that, with the beginning of the modernization in farming, have not undergone the process of genetic improvement aiming at their technical production.…”

“…These species belong to the botanical family Asteraceae . They are eaten mainly sautéed with sauces and broths [ 2 ]. From a physiological point of view, they are species of erect herbaceous size and annual cycle; their stem is hollow and little branched and also has simple, sessile leaves, with membranous blade with an auricular base and 6 to 17 cm long [ 12 ].…”

“…In Brazil, these species are found in native environments, especially in the South and Southeast regions of the country, being used for food and medicinal purposes [ 2 , 12 , 19 ]. However, some sources regard them as invasive plants in agriculture [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…However, some sources regard them as invasive plants in agriculture [ 20 , 21 ]. As food, these species are eaten as salads and sautéed and cooked with other foods [ 2 , 12 ].…”

“…), and areas of family farmers, intended for the production of annual crops, vegetable, and fruit growing [11]. In the midst of this scenario, together with other agricultural crops and forest fragments, it can be found a wide diversity of nonconventional food species highly demanded for the food consumption of the local population [2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”