Biogenic Silver and Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles by Feijoa: Biosynthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

Background and purpose: Green nanotechnology is an interesting method for the synthesis of functional nanoparticles. Because of their wide application, they have set up great attention in recent years.

Objective: The present research examines the green synthesis of Ag and zero-valent iron nanoparticles (AgNPs, ZVINPs) by Feijoa sellowiana fruit extract. In this synthesis, no stabilizers or surfactants were applied.

Methods: Eco-friendly synthesis of Iron and biogenic synthesis of Ag nanoparticles were accomplished by controlling critical parameters such as concentration, incubation period and temperature. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis were applied to characterize NPs. The cytotoxicity of NPs was investigated in two cell lines, MCF-7 (breast cancer) and AGS (human gastric carcinoma). A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was also performed for characterization of phenolic acids in the extract.

Results: Both NPs displayed powerful anticancer activities against two tumor cell lines with little effect on BEAS-2B normal cells. Synthesized AgNPs and ZVINPs inhibited the growth of all selected bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli have been studied in two stages. We initially examined the ATCCs followed by clinical strain isolation. Based on the results from resistant strains, we showed that nanoparticles were superior to conventional antibiotics. DPPH (diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and iron chelating activity were used for the determination of antioxidant properties. Results showed a high antioxidant activity of scavenging free radicals for ZVINPs and powerful iron-chelating activity for AgNPs. Based on the HPLC data, catechin was the major phenolic compound in the extract.

Conclusion: Our synthesized nanoparticles displayed potent cytotoxic, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Keywords: Ag nanoparticles; anticancer; antimicrobial; antioxidant; green synthesis; zero-valent iron nanoparticles.