Modulation of Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Aqueous Extract of Flamboyant (Delonix regia var. flavida, Fabaceae) Seeds

Abstract

Delonix regia has bioactive phytochemicals present in leaves, seeds, roots, and flowers. Considering that these compounds are common in extracts used for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesis, this study investigated the potential of D. regia seeds aqueous extract (DRE) in different concentrations to produce AgNPs (DRE-AgNPs). DRE composition was investigated by qualitative assays, and physico-chemical/structural characterization of AgNPs was performed by UV–Visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Antibacterial effect of DRE-AgNPs was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. DRE presented mainly tannins and saponins. Additionally, the absorbance of each DRE-AgNPs was positively correlated to DRE concentration. At higher DRE concentrations, AgNPs were larger, regarding Z average; tended to monodispersity; and presented more negative Zeta potentials. Hydrodynamic diameters of DRE-AgNPs were measured by number distribution and only AgNPs synthesized with DRE 2 mg ml−1 (DRE-AgNPs 2) presented a single population of particles. Thus, DRE-AgNP 2 was analyzed by AFM and exhibited a spherical shape and an average height of 18.39 ± 1.59 nm. Most of DRE-AgNPs presented antibacterial effects against E. coli and S. aureus at 128 or 256 µmol l−1. In conclusion, different DRE concentrations modulated physico-chemical characteristics of AgNPs with antibacterial activity.