The aim of this study was to employ an agro-industrial byproduct, specifically Citrus sinensis peels, as a reservoir of polyphenols. The natural chemicals present in C. sinensis peels serve as reducing agents in an environmentally benign method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This methodology not only provides a more environmentally friendly method for synthesizing nanoparticles but also enhances the value of agricultural waste, emphasizing the sustainable utilization of resources. In our study, AgNPs were successfully synthesized using peel aqueous exact of C. sinensis and then their various biological activity has been investigated. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Furthermore, their effectiveness in inhibiting growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans has been investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for E. coli and S. aureus were both 32 μg/mL, and for C. albicans, it was 128 µg/mL. At 250 µg/mL of AgNPs, 94% and 92% biofilm inhibition were observed against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Furthermore, AgNPs demonstrated significant toxic effects against human prostate cancer cell line DU145 as investigated by anti-apoptotic, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) assays. We also conducted uptake analysis on these pathogens and cancer cell lines to preliminarily investigate the mechanisms underlying their toxic effects. These findings confirm that AgNPs can serve as a cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly resource for green synthesis of medicinal AgNPs. Moreover, this approach offers an alternative recycling strategy that contributes to the sustainable use of biological by-products.
Keywords: AgNPs; Anticancer; Antifungal; Antimicrobial; Biofilm; Biosynthesis; ROS.
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.