Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using a Lythrum salicaria Extract and In Vitro Exploration of Their Biological Activities

Andreia Corciovă; Cornelia Mircea; Ana Flavia Burlec; Adrian Fifere; Ioana Turin Moleavin; Alexandra Sarghi; Cristina Tuchiluș; Bianca Ivănescu; Irina Macovei

doi:10.3390/life12101643

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using a Lythrum salicaria Extract and In Vitro Exploration of Their Biological Activities

Life (Basel). 2022 Oct 19;12(10):1643. doi: 10.3390/life12101643.

Authors

Andreia Corciovă¹, Cornelia Mircea¹, Ana Flavia Burlec¹, Adrian Fifere², Ioana Turin Moleavin², Alexandra Sarghi², Cristina Tuchiluș³, Bianca Ivănescu¹, Irina Macovei¹

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
² Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
³ Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania.

Abstract

This research describes an eco-friendly green route for the synthesis of AgNPs using an aqueous extract of Lythrum salicaria. Taguchi design was used to optimize the synthesis method, taking into account various working conditions. The optimum parameters were established using a 3 mM AgNO₃ concentration, a 1:9 extract:AgNO₃ volume ratio, a pH value of 8, 60 ℃ temperature, and 180 min reaction time. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, and TEM and EDX analysis. The SPR band at 410 nm, as well as the functional groups of biomolecules identified by FTIR and the EDX signals at ~3 keV, confirmed the synthesis of spherical AgNPs. The average AgNPs size was determined to be 40 nm, through TEM, and the zeta potential was -19.62 mV. The antimicrobial assay showed inhibition against S. aureus and C. albicans. Moreover, the results regarding the inhibition of lipoxygenase and of peroxyl radical-mediated hemolysis assays were promising and justify further antioxidant studies.

Keywords: EDX; FTIR; Taguchi design; antifungal; erythrocyte hemolysis; lipoxygenase.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0739, within PNCDI III.