Investigating in-vitro antimicrobial activity, biosynthesis, and characterization of silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites using Pistacia Atlantica Resin

Abstract

In the present study, a fast and straightforward method was presented for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnNPs), and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites (Ag-ZnNPs). Biosynthesis was carried out using resin extraction from Pistacia Atlantica as a reductant and capping agent. In-vitro antimicrobial activities of these particles, silver nitrate (AgNO3), and zinc nitrate (Zn (NO3)2) were also evaluated in comparison with resin extracts. Synthesis of the nanoparticles and nanocomposites was characterized and confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Then, antimicrobial activity was tested against Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus mirabilis using the agar well diffusion method. Maximum inhibition zones were observed for resin-AgZnNPs and resin-ZnNPs (21.1 ± 0.002 mm), demonstrating their antibacterial activity, while Zn (NO3)2 had the smallest inhibition zone (5.4 ± 0.06 mm). These results are promising in terms of their potential ability to be used against pathogenic bacteria.