Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Comparative In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Using Tagetes erecta Flower Extracts

Ana Flavia Burlec,Andreia Corciovă,Cornelia Mircea,Adrian Fifere,Cristina Tuchiluș,Irina Macovei,Silvia Robu,Monica Hăncianu,Ioana-Andreea Turin-Moleavin

doi:10.3390/app12020887

Abstract

The present study reports an eco-friendly synthesis method of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using two different extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) of Tagetes erecta flowers. When exposed to different biocompounds found in the plant, silver ions are reduced, thus, resulting in the green synthesis of nanoparticles. After performing the optimization of synthesis, the obtained AgNPs were characterized using various techniques. The UV–Vis spectrum of the synthesized nanoparticles showed maximum peaks at 410 and 420 nm. TEM analysis revealed that the particles were spherical with a size ranging from 10 to 15 nm, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of silver metal. The average diameter value obtained through DLS analysis for the two types of AgNPs (obtained using aqueous and ethanolic extracts) was 104 and 123 nm. The Zeta potentials of the samples were −27.74 mV and −26.46 mV, respectively, which indicates the stability of the colloidal solution. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities assays showed that nanoparticles obtained using the aqueous extract presented enhanced antioxidant activity compared to the corresponding extract, with both types of AgNPs exhibiting improved antifungal properties compared to the initial extracts.

Highlights

Nanoparticles are particles with dimensions in the 10−9 m range that possess special physico-chemical properties
The present paper investigates the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using green chemistry and their characterization
The synthesis of AgNPs with the use of plant extracts generally involves the obtaining of extracts and silver salt solutions, formation of the AgNPs by mixing the two solutions in different amounts and under certain medium conditions, steps that were applied in our case

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticles are particles with dimensions in the 10−9 m range that possess special physico-chemical properties. These unique characteristics have recently led to increased attention regarding the research carried out on nanoparticles, as well as to the development of nanotechnology as an interdisciplinary field. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in particular, are known to have remarkable optical, electrical and antimicrobial properties. These properties can be correlated with the small particle size, and make it possible for AgNPs to be used in biosensors, composite fibers, superconducting materials, medical imaging, medicines, and cosmetics [3]. Important are the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, that were more recently discovered for such materials, but are, more and more studied by researchers in the field [5,6]

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