Green Synthesis of Au-doped SnO 2 Nanoparticles Using Teucrium Polium Plant Extract for the Evaluation of Their Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Background & Objective: The biological production of nanoparticles (NPs) is a technique that has garnered a lot of interest because it is inexpensive, straightforward, and friendly to the natural environment. This study explores the green synthesis of Au-doped SnO 2 NPs using Teucrium polium plant extract and evaluates their antimicrobial properties in comparison with two commonly used antibiotics.
 Materials & Methods: Initially, an extract of Teucrium polium was made using water, and then it was combined with solutions of tin (II) chloride dehydrate [SnCl 2 .2H 2 O] and gold (III) chloride trihydrate [HAuCl 4 .3H 2 O]. The crystal structure was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The form, structure, and grain size of the NPs were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The synthesized NPs were tested for their antibacterial properties.
 Results: The XRD and EDS analyses revealed that the SnO 2 : Au phase formed an average crystallite size of 22 nm and an Au dopant content of around 2%. The SEM and TEM investigations demonstrated that the NPs were formed in a regular and nanoscale manner, with diameters ranging from 25 to 30 nm. MIC and MBC of SnO 2 : Au NPs against the studied bacteria (S.aureus ATCC 43300, P.aeruginosa PAO1) were reported 9.6±0.13- 9.6±0.07 μg/mL and 25.9±11.5- 32.5±11.2 μg/mL.
 Conclusion: Green-synthesized NPs exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, even at low concentrations. The NPs effectively eliminate bacteria and prevent biofilm formation.