Green synthesis of AgNPs using Cannabis sativa leaf extract: Characterization, antibacterial, anti-yeast and α-amylase inhibitory activity

Abstract

The present study reports the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Cannabis sativa aqueous leaf extract (CSE). The effect of silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentration, extract to AgNO3 ratio, pH and incubation time was also determined for optimization of green synthesis. 3 mM AgNO3, 1:0.1 ratio of AgNO3 to CSE, neutral pH and contact time of 24 h were found to be ideal for the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized through UV–visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM and TEM analysis. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak was observed at 418 nm and AgNPs formed had average size of 26.52 nm. Three gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis) and two gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria were used to determine the effect of AgNPs on their growth kinetics and integrity of cell membrane. In addition to this, AgNPs were also investigated for their α-amylase inhibitory and anti-yeast activity against model yeasts Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Findings of this study showed that the AgNPs synthesized from CSE exhibit potential antibacterial, anti-yeast and α-amylase inhibitory activities.