Abstract

Chlorella vulgaris from Al-Ahsa, KSA was proved to be an active silver and gold nanoparticle producer. Nanogold and nanosilver particles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electronmicroscopy. Both nanoparticles were used in the antimicrobial bioassay. The two nanoparticles showed antibacterial activities, with the silver nanoparticles being the most effective. To investigate the argumentative nature of their biosynthesis (i.e., whether it is a biotic or abiotic process), we isolated total ribonucleic acid RNA as an indicator of vitality. RNA was completely absent in samples taken after one week of incubation with silver nitrate and even after one or two days. However, successful extraction was only achievable in samples taken after incubation for one and four hours with silver nitrate. Most importantly, the gel image showed recognizable shearing of the nucleic acid after 4 h as compared to the control. An assumption can be drawn that the synthesis of nanoparticles may start biotically by the action of enzyme(s) and abiotically by action of reducing entities. Nonetheless, with prolonged incubation, excessive nanoparticle accumulation can be deadly. Hence, their synthesis continues abiotically. From the RNA banding profile, we suggest that nanosilver production starts both biotically and abiotically in the first few hours of incubation and then continues abiotically. Nanosilver particles proved to have more of an antimicrobial impact than nanogold and hence are recommended for different applications as antibacterial agents.

Highlights

  • Received: 19 November 2021Microalgae are considered as significant bio-factories for the treatment of wastewater, the production of biofuel, the manufacturing of a variety of commercially valuable products, and the synthesis of nanoparticles

  • Mid-logarithmic cultures were used for the biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles

  • The results showed that the nanogold plasmon resonance band was detected in the range of 510–550 nm

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Summary

Introduction

Received: 19 November 2021Microalgae are considered as significant bio-factories for the treatment of wastewater, the production of biofuel, the manufacturing of a variety of commercially valuable products, and the synthesis of nanoparticles. The synthesis of nanoparticles from biological sources has appeared recently as a potential substitute to the typical physical and chemical methods. Due to their cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness, some microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi, have been successfully implemented as prospective prolific source of eco-friendly biogenic nanoparticles. According to a recent review by Jacob et al [3], their ease of growth and ability to live in extreme conditions make them plausible candidates for large-scale synthesis of nanoparticles. The ability to biosynthesize nanoparticles is suggested to be a mechanism by which the microalgae detoxify excessive bulky metals in their niche which can otherwise be toxic and hazardous [4]. The biomass itself can be used as well as the cell free supernatants

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