Bioinspired morphology-controlled silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial application.

Area of Science:

• Green synthesis of nanomaterials
• Phytochemistry
• Materials science

Background:

• Phytochemicals are effective reducing and capping agents for nanoparticle synthesis.
• Controlled synthesis and application-specific optimization of phytochemical-derived nanoparticles require further investigation.
• Developing cost-effective, reproducible methods for desired nanoparticle characteristics is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve morphology-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using fractionated phytochemicals from Elaeagnus umbellata (EU) extract.
• To investigate the shape/size-dependent applications of these AgNPs.
• To establish a reproducible, cost-effective method for synthesizing optimized AgNPs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of AgNPs using individual fractions of EU extract.
• Characterization of AgNPs using UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
• Evaluation of AgNP stability, antibacterial activity, and toxicity.

Main Results:

• Extract constituents varied with solvent, influencing AgNP shape, size, antibacterial properties, and toxicity.
• Water fractions (EUW) produced monodispersed spherical AgNPs (~40 nm) with significant stability in physiological conditions.
• AFM and SEM revealed AgNPs disrupt bacterial cell morphology and release cellular matrix, demonstrating potent antibacterial action.
• Synthesized AgNPs were non-toxic.

Conclusions:

• Fractionated phytochemicals from EU extract enable controllable, cost-effective synthesis of stable, uniform, non-toxic, and bactericidal AgNPs.
• AgNPs derived from EUW show promise for pharmaceutical and homeopathic applications in antibacterial medication development.
• This study provides a foundational approach for tailoring AgNP properties through specific plant extract fractions.