Green Synthesis of Bergamot Solid Waste-Based Silver Nanoparticles: Optimization Process for Agriculture Use

Area of Science:

• Green synthesis of nanomaterials
• Sustainable agriculture
• Agri-food waste valorization

Background:

• Agri-food wastes are underexplored biomaterial sources for green nanoparticle synthesis.
• Bergamot pomace, rich in polyphenols, offers potential for sustainable nanoparticle production.
• Green synthesized metal nanoparticles offer eco-friendly alternatives with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using bergamot pomace.
• To characterize the synthesized silver nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the bioactivity of bergamot pomace-derived silver nanoparticles in agriculture.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of synthesis parameters (extract concentration, pH, ratio, temperature, time).
• Characterization using UV-Vis, DLS, zeta potential, TEM, STEM, ATR-FTIR, and proteomics.
• Evaluation of phytostimulatory effects via seed nanopriming assays.
• Assessment of antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens.

Main Results:

• Optimized synthesis yielded stable, spherical silver nanoparticles (15-20 nm) with SPR at 430 nm.
• Polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and proteins mediated bioreduction and stabilization.
• Demonstrated phytostimulatory effects on tomato and lettuce seeds.
• Exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity against *Pseudomonas syringae* and *Xanthomonas campestris*.

Conclusions:

• Bergamot pomace is a viable resource for green silver nanoparticle synthesis.
• The synthesized nanoparticles possess beneficial properties for sustainable agriculture.
• This approach supports the valorization of agri-food waste into functional nanomaterials.