Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Nostoc muscorum Lukesova 2/91: Optimization, Characterization, and Biological Applications

Reham Samir Hamida; Mohamed Abdelaal Ali; Fatima Tariq Sharif; Hana Sonbol; Mashael Mohammed Bin-Meferij

doi:10.2147/IJN.S420312

Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using Nostoc muscorum Lukesova 2/91: Optimization, Characterization, and Biological Applications

Int J Nanomedicine. 2023 Oct 5:18:5625-5649. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S420312. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Reham Samir Hamida¹, Mohamed Abdelaal Ali², Fatima Tariq Sharif³, Hana Sonbol³, Mashael Mohammed Bin-Meferij³

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
² Plant Production Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-CITY) New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt.
³ Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Purpose: The biological synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) has become a new methodology for the eco-friendly production of NPs with high scalability and biocompatibility. Cyanobacteria are one of the most widespread microorganisms on Earth and have been proven to be successful biofactories for synthesizing NPs. It is challenging to discover new microalgae with the potential to synthesize NPs of small size with high stability.

Methods: Nostoc muscorum Lukesova 2/91 was isolated, purified, and identified morphologically and genetically using microscopy and DNA sequencing. Volatile biomolecules in aqueous algal extracts were assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).

Results: Data showed that the main biomolecules were fatty acids and their esters, followed by secondary metabolites. Algal extract was used to convert silver nitrate (AgNO₃) into silver NPs under various optimized parameters. 1 mM of AgNO₃, 1:1 (V/V ratio of algal extract to AgNO₃), 25 °C, under light illumination, for 24 h, at pH 7.4 were the optimum conditions for NP production (Nos@AgNPs). Nos@AgNPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDx, mapping, and a Zetasizer. The wavelength of Nos@AgNPs was 401.4 nm and their shapes were cubic to oval, with an average diameter of 11.8 ± 0.5 nm. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that proteins/polysaccharides could be the main reductants, whereas these molecules and/or fatty acids could be stabilizers for NP synthesis. Nos@AgNPs (86.15%) was silver and had a hydrodynamic diameter of 10.7 nm with a potential charge of -19.7 mV. Antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of Nos@AgNPs were evaluated. Nos@AgNPs exhibited significant inhibitory activity against lung, colon, and breast cancer cells and considerable biocidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion: N. muscorum Lukesova 2/91 is an excellent source for the biofabrication of small and stable AgNPs with potent inhibitory effects against cancer and bacterial cells.

Keywords: Nostoc sp.; algae; anticancer; antimicrobial; antioxidant; green synthesis.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Fatty Acids
Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Nostoc muscorum* / metabolism
Plant Extracts / chemistry
Silver / pharmacology

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Plant Extracts
Silver
Fatty Acids

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number RI-44-0429.