Solvent dependent synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Morus rubra: correlating physicochemical properties with
Alsaba H Nadaf1,2, Ali Abdulmawjood Mohammed3, Hiba Qasim Mahmoud3
1Department of Chemistry, Walchand College of Arts and Science (Autonomous) 413006 Solapur MS India.
Abstract:
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesised using Morus rubra leaf decoctions prepared using two solvent systems: aqueous (MR-AgNPs-Aq) and hydroalcoholic (MR-AgNPs-HA). The impact of solvent formulation on nanoparticle formation, structural properties, and biological activity was studied. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption analysis validated the synthesis of the nanoparticles through a distinctive plasmonic absorption peak around 450 nm for MR-AgNPs-Aq and in the 500 nm wavelength region for MR-AgNPs-HA, suggesting differences in particle growth and interaction with phytochemicals. FTIR analysis indicated the phytochemicals such as phenolics and flavonoids involved in nanoparticle reduction and stabilisation. Both XRD and SAED confirmed the face-centred cubic (FCC) crystal structure of silver nanoparticles. SEM and TEM analyses showed that the particles were predominantly spherical in morphology. MR-AgNPs-HA particles were smaller, around 12 nm, and more evenly sized. MR-AgNPs-Aq particles were bigger, around 17 nm, and less uniform. The synthesised AgNPs showed concentration dependent antibacterial activity. At 10 mg mL-1, the inhibition zones ranged from 7-14 mm for MR-AgNPs-Aq and 7-15 mm for MR-AgNPs-HA against the tested bacterial strains. Antifungal activity was more distinct against Candida albicans, whereas negligible inhibition was observed against Aspergillus niger. In the MTT assay, MR-AgNPs-HA showed stronger anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells, with an IC50 of 5.73 µg mL-1 compared with 54.69 µg mL-1 for MR-AgNPs-Aq. At 6.25 µg mL-1, MCF-7 cell viability was 52.82% and 68.98% for MR-AgNPs-HA and MR-AgNPs-Aq, respectively. Overall, the hydroalcoholic decoction produced nanoparticles with more favourable physicochemical characteristics and stronger biological activity than the aqueous decoction. These findings highlight the potential of the synthesised AgNPs for future biomedical applications.
