Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Cuscuta japonica seeds and their antibacterial and antioxidant activities

Abstract

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using plant extract has been proposed as a facile, eco-friendly and cost-effective method. The Cuscuta japonica plant is one of the well-known medicinal plant and its seed have been reported for different biomedical applications. The present study reports the use of aqueous extract from seeds of C. japonica as a reducing agent and formation of Ag NPs from silver nitrate by a green synthesis route. The development of brown color in reaction mixture were observed visually, which indicates formation of Ag NPs. UV–visible spectroscopic peak about 460 nm confirms the synthesis of Ag NPs. The spherical shapes of synthesized Ag NPs were determined by transmission electron microscopy. Average particles size was found 73.22 ± 3.55 nm. The synthesis procedure was optimized by varying reaction time and temperature. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum reveals that the presence of components acts as a reducing and capping agents. The synthesized Ag NPs shows antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and antibacterial activity against human pathogens includes Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria.