Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterization, and use for sustainable preservation of historical parchment against microbial biodegradation

Abstract

Green chemistry is considered a suitable approach for the sustainable preparation of nanoparticles (NPs) attributable to it is safe and clean technique. In the present work, tea tree leaves extract were used for preparing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Ecofriendly fashioned Ag-NPs was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (Uv–Vis) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained results confirmed the capability of tea tree leaves extract to produce spherical Ag-NPs with an average size of 40 nm at wavelength 468 nm. Furthermore, the XRD analysis affirmed the crystallographic structure of the synthesized Ag-NPs. DLS displayed that the particle size of Ag-NPs with an average diameter of about 40 nm. This study aimed to examine the influence of green synthesis Ag-NPs disinfection process on the reduction of the number of microorganisms: Aspergillus fumigatus EGY-N1, Byssochlamys spectabilis EGY-N2, Cladosporium xanthochromaticum N3-EGYand Streptomyces albidoflavus SP11 previously isolated from historical parchment manuscript. Correspondingly, the chemical, mechanical, and morphological characteristic changes of disinfected parchment arising through disinfection and after the accelerated aging process were assessed. The obtained data revealed that Ag-NPs are microbiostatic against tested microbes at a concentration of 0.005%. The microbicidal effect was achieved at a concentration of 0.025%. Moreover, the established sensitivity of microorganisms was in the following order (Streptomyces albidoflavus > Cladosporium xanthochromaticum > Byssochlamys spectabilis > Aspergillus fumigatus). Finally, chemical as well as mechanical characteristics of disinfected parchment did not significantly influence during the accelerated thermal aging at 80 °C for three weeks. Thus, Ag-NPs could be a good candidate for sustainable maintenance of historical parchment against microbial biodegradation.