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In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, mostly because of the evident limitations associated with chemical and physical methods. Green synthesis, commonly referred to as "biogenic synthesis," is seen as an alternative approach to produce AgNPs (silver nanoparticles). The current work focuses on the use of Asterarcys sp. (microalga) for biological reduction of AgNO3 to produce AgNPs. The optimal parameters for the reduction of AgNPs were determined as molarity of 3 mM for AgNO3 and an incubation duration of 24 h at pH 9, using a 20:80 ratio of algal extract to AgNO3. The biosynthesized Ast-AgNPs were characterised using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns. The nanoparticles exhibited their highest absorption in the UV–visible spectra at 425 nm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation indicated the presence of characteristic peaks at certain angles: 38.30° (1 1 1), 44.40° (2 0 0), 64.64° (2 2 0), and 77.59° (3 1 1) according to the JCPDS file No. 04-0783. Based on SEM and TEM, the Ast-AgNPs had an average size of 35 nm and 52 nm, respectively. The zeta potential was determined to be − 20.8 mV, indicating their stability. The highest antibacterial effectiveness is shown against Staphylococcus aureus, with a zone of inhibition of 25.66 ± 1.52 mm at 250 μL/mL conc. of Ast-AgNPs. Likewise, Ast-AgNPs significantly suppressed the growth of Fusarium sp. and Curvularia sp. by 78.22% and 85.05%, respectively, at 150 μL/mL conc. of Ast-AgNPs. In addition, the Ast-AgNPs exhibited significant photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue (MB), achieving an 88.59% degradation in 120 min, revealing multiple downstream applications of Ast-AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis of bioactive nanoparticles (NPs) is getting more attractive in various fields of science including the food industry. This study investigates the green synthesizing and characterization of gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) produced using Mentha spicata L. (M. spicata) essential oil as well as their antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic effects. The essential oil was mixed with both Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) solutions separately and incubated at room temperature for 24 h. The chemical composition of the essential oil was identified by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer detector (GC–MS). Au and Ag nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The cytotoxicity of both types of nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT assay on cancerous HEPG-2cell line by exposing them to various concentrations of both NPs for 24 h. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated by the well-diffusion technique. The antioxidant effect was determined by DPPH and ABTS tests. According to the results of GC–MS analysis, 18 components were identified, including carvone (78.76%) and limonene (11.50%). UV–visible spectroscopy showed a strong absorption peak of 563 nm and 485 nm, indicating the formation of Au NPs and Ag NPs, respectively. TEM and DLS demonstrated that AuNPs and AgNPs were predominantly spherical shaped with average sizes of 19.61 nm and 24 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed that biologically active compounds such as monoterpenes could assist in the formation and stabilization of both types of NPs. Additionally, XRD provided more accurate results, revealing a nano-metal structure. Silver nanoparticles exhibited better antimicrobial activity against the bacteria than AuNPs. Zones of inhibition ranging 9.0–16.0 mm were recorded for the AgNPs, while zones of 8.0–10.33 mm were observed AuNPs. In the ABTS assay, the AuNPs and AgNPs showed a dose-dependent activity and synthesized nanoparticles exhibited higher antioxidant activity than MSEO in both assays. Mentha spicata essential oil can be successfully used for the green production of Au NPs and Ag NPs. Both green synthesized NPs show antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have concentrated on exploring behaviors of nickel silver oxide nanoparticles using various routes of fabrication. Thermal treatment technique has never been utilized to fabricate nickel oxide silver oxide nanoparticles. In this research, binary (NiO)0.4 (Ag2O)0.6 nanoparticles were synthesized using the thermal treatment method due to its attractive advantages such as low cost, eco-friendly, and purity of nanoparticles. The structural, morphological, and optical behaviors of these nanoparticles were investigated at different calcined temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and photoluminescence (PL) were the techniques used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD was conducted at different calcined temperatures. The crystallite size was increased from 25.4 nm to 37.0 nm as the calcined temperature increased from 500 °C to 800 °C. Also, TEM results verified that the mean particle size was enlarged as the calcined temperatures increased. Two band gaps were found for each temperature, which were decreased from (3.05, 2.45) to (2.70, 1.95) eV as the temperature varied from 500 to 800 °C, respectively. Broadbands were observed by PL spectra, and the intensity of two emission peaks was also increased at higher temperatures. The results approved the successful formation of binary (NiO)0.4 (Ag2O)0.6 nanoparticles by a novel facile synthesis route. These nanoparticles are likely to have various applications, especially optical applications due to the formation of two band gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a number of biological agents such as extracts from various parts of the plants have garnered remarkable attention recently. The aim of the study was a green synthesis of AgNPs using stems and flowers of Felty germander (Teucrium polium L.). After collection and preparation of the aqueous extract, production of AgNPs was performed. In the study, effect of parameters including AgNO3 concentration (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 mM), aqueous extract (100 µl, 150 µl, 300 µl, 600 µl and 900 µl), pH value (between 0 and 14), incubation time (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min), and temperature (30 °C, 60 °C, and 90 °C) were investigated in the synthesis of AgNPs. The sufficient production was achieved at the room temperature (30 °C), duration of 15 min, pH of 6 and concentration of 7.5 mM of AgNO3. Finally, the antifungal activity of these nanoparticles was also studied on Fusarium oxysporum by colony formation assay. The production of AgNPs was identified by an absorption peak at approximately 450 nm using UV–Visible spectroscopy. According to XRD, DSL, FESEM, and PSA results and analysis of SEM, nanoparticles have almost spherical shape and size of 10 to 100 nm. The SEM images also revealed that the prepared AgNPs are particles with no agglomeration. Furthermore, the TEM images exhibited that the AgNPs were well dispersed and there was no evident aggregation. Absorption peaks at 3391.55, 2917.00, 2848.83, 1640.15, 1384.65, 1243.37, 1069.07 and 614.54 cm−1 were observed for the AgNPs using FTIR analysis. On the other hand, the antifungal analysis revealed that these AgNPs have antifungal activity. For the first time, the biosynthesis of AgNPs was successfully performed using the aqueous extract of Felty germander which is a rapid, inexpensive and safe approach. Furthermore, the resulting AgNPs has antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports a versatile, cost-efficient and ecofriendly protocol for the synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extracts of Quao Binh Chau, Stereospermum binhchauensis and Che Vang, Jasminum subtriplinerve and their application in antibacterial activity and catalysis. The AgNPs with varying morphology and physical properties have been optimized using the absorption measurements. The biogenic AgNPs have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermal behaviors. Stable crystalline AgNPs with average particle sizes of 20.0 nm and 8.0 nm were fabricated from aqueous extract of Quao Binh Chau and Che Vang, respectively. The phytochemicals from the extracts involved in reduction and stabilization of AgNPs are identified by FTIR spectra and thermal gravimetric analysis. Both the biosynthesized AgNPs show the potent antibacterial activity against four tested bacterial strains including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. High catalytic activity of the biogenic AgNPs in the degradation of toxic contaminants (4-nitrophenol and methyl orange) was observed. The antibacterial and catalytic activities are found to be size and phytochemical dependent. The antibacterial and catalytic activities of the biogenic nanoparticles would find applications in the biomedical and environmental fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction of the silver nitrate (AgNO) using the latex copolymer in ethanol solution under microwave (MW) heating. The reaction parameters such as silver precursor concentration (from 0.005 to 0.1 g/l) and MW power (200-800 W) significantly affect the formation rate, shape, size and distribution of the silver nanoparticles. A significant reduction of irradiation time was observed when the MW energy is compared to conventional thermal reduction processes. The prepared silver nanoparticles show uniform and stable sizes from 5 to 11 nm, which can be stored at room temperature for approximately 12 months without any visible change. These peculiarities indicate that the latex copolymer is a good stabilizer for the silver nanoparticles. The optical properties, morphology, and crystalline structure of the silver-latex copolymer nanocomposites were characterized by the Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study of the TEM images at high magnifications identified the silver nanoparticles as face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with spherical and hexagonal shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the biosafety assessment, the exact molecular effects, and apoptosis induction of newly developed chitosan-silver hybrid nanoparticles (Cs-Ag NPs) in HepG2 cells. The investigated hybrid NPs were green synthesized using Cs/grape leaves aqueous extract (Cs/GLE) or Cs/GLE NPs as reducing and stabilizing agents. The successful formation of Cs/GLE NPs and Cs-Ag hybrid NPs has been confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, and HRTEM. From the TEM analysis, the prepared Cs/GLE NPs are uniform and spherical with an average size of 150 nm, and the AgNPs (5-10 nm) were formed mainly on their surface. The UV-Vis spectra of Cs-Ag NPs showed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at about 450 nm confirming their formation. The synthesized Cs-Ag NPs were found to be crystalline as shown by XRD patterns with fcc phase oriented along the (111), (200), (220), and (311) planes. The cytotoxicity patterns, the antiproliferative activities, and the possible mechanisms of anticancer activity at molecular level of the newly developed Cs-Ag hybrid NPs were investigated. Cytotoxicity patterns of all the preparations demonstrated that the nontoxic treatment concentrations are ranged from 0.39 to 50 %, and many of the newly prepared Cs-Ag hybrid NPs showed high anticancer activities against HpG2 cells, and induced cellular apoptosis by downregulating BCL2 gene and upregulating P53. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aims to investigate the influence of different stirring time for synthesis of silver nanoparticles in glutathione (GSH) aqueous solution. The silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were prepared by green synthesis method using GSH as reducing agent and stabilizer, under moderate temperature at different stirring times. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) was taken as the metal precursor while Ag-NPs were prepared in the over reaction time. Results Formation of Ag-NPs was determined by UV-vis spectroscopy where surface plasmon absorption maxima can be observed at 344-354 nm from the UV-vis spectrum. The synthesized nanoparticles were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The peaks in the XRD pattern confirmed that the Ag-NPs possessed a face-centered cubic and peaks of contaminated crystalline phases were unable to be located. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Ag-NPs synthesized were in spherical shape. Zeta potential results indicate that the stability of the Ag-NPs is increases at the 72 h stirring time of reaction comparison to GSH. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum suggested the complexation present between GSH and Ag-NPs. The use of green chemistry reagents, such as peptide, provides green and economic features to this work. Conclusions Ag-NPs were successfully synthesized in GSH aqueous solution under moderate temperature at different stirring times. The study clearly showed that the Ag-NPs synthesized in the long times of stirring, thus, the kinetic of GSH reaction is very slow. TEM results shows that with the increase of stirring times the mean particle size of Ag-NPs become increases. The FT-IR spectrum suggested the complexation present between GSH and Ag-NPs. These suggest that Ag-NPs can be employed as an effective bacteria inhibitor and can be applied in medical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, increase bacterial resistance to antimicrobial compounds issue constitutes a real threat to human health. One of the useful materials for bacterial control is Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Researchers tend to use biogenic agents to synthesize stable and safe AgNPs. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the ability of lichen in AgNPs formation and to find out their suppression ability to MDR bacteria as well as their cytotoxic activity. In the current study, lichens (Xanthoria parietina, Flavopunctelia flaventior) were collected from the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Lichens methanolic extracts were used for conversion of Ag ions to AgNPs. Prepared biogenic AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Lichens Secondary metabolites were determined by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The antibacterial activity and synergistic effect of AgNPs were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria, including gram-positive; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and gram-negative; (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) as well as the reference strains (ATCC) using the agar disk diffusion method. Cytotoxic effect of biogenic AgNPs was tested against HCT 116 (Human Colorectal Cancer cell), MDA-MB-231 (Breast cancer cell), and FaDu (Pharynx cancer cell) by MTT test. TEM imaging showed well-dispersed spherical particles of 1–40 nm size as well as zeta size showed 69–145 nm. Furthermore, FTIR and GC–MS identified various lichen chemical molecules. On the other hand, the highest antibacterial activity of AgNPs was noticed against P. aeruginosa, followed by MRSA, VRE, and E. coli. AgNPs influence on gram-negative bacteria was greater than that on gram-positive bacteria and their synergistic effect with some antibiotics was noted against examined microbes. Moreover, higher cytotoxicity for biogenic AgNPs against FaDu and HCT 116 cell line in relation to MDA-MB-231 was noted. Given the current findings, the biogenic AgNPs mediated by lichens had positive antibacterial, synergistic and cytotoxic powers. Therefore, they might be considered as a promising candidate to combat the multi-drug resistance organisms and some cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enhanced method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is adopted herein using the aqueous extract of Decalepis hamiltonii root as both reducing and capping agents. In the recent years, metal nanoparticles have been actively synthesized using green route which is considered as an efficient, inexpensive and eco-friendly method. The generation of AgNPs was first observed from the UV–visible spectroscopy. The XRD analysis confirms the FCC structure with an average crystal size of 22 nm which is calculated using Scherrer's formula. The functional group responsible for the reduction of AgNPs is identified from the FTIR analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the formation of silver nanoparticles of size ranging from 5 to 20 nm with few agglomerations. The antibacterial studies were carried out against the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of AgNPs were measured by the Z-scan technique. The negative nonlinearity observed was utilized for the study of optical limiting behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]