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. 2024 Mar 19;12(6):4459-4472.
doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4112. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Peganum harmala L. extract-based Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs): Green synthesis, characterization, and assessment of antibacterial and antifungal properties

Izaz Ullah  1 , Abdur Rauf  1 , Anees Ahmed Khalil  2 , Muhammad Luqman  3 , Md Rezaul Islam  4 , Hassan A Hemeg  5 , Zubair Ahmad  1 , Yahya S Al-Awthan  6 , Omar Bahattab  6 , Mohammed Mansour Quradha  7   8
Affiliations

Peganum harmala L. extract-based Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs): Green synthesis, characterization, and assessment of antibacterial and antifungal properties

Izaz Ullah et al. Food Sci Nutr. .

Abstract

During the last decade, nanotechnology has attained a significant place among the scientific community for the biosynthesis of plant-based nanoparticles owing to its effective, safe, and eco-friendly nature. Hence, keeping in view the significance of nanotechnology, the current study was conducted to develop, characterize (UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), and assess the antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties of Peganum harmala L. Extract-based Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). Characteristic absorption peaks at 420 and 540 nm revealed the formation of AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. SEM images revealed that both silver and gold nanoparticles were oval and spherical with average size ranging from 42 to 72 and 12.6 to 35.7 nm, respectively. Similarly, FT-IR spectra revealed that the functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and polyphenolic groups of biomolecules present in the extract are possibly responsible for reducing metallic ions and the formation of nanoparticles. Likewise, the EDX analysis confirmed the presence of silver and gold in synthesized NPs. Furthermore, the AgNPs and AuNPs showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities. The maximum antibacterial and antifungal activity was noticed for P. harmala extract against Pseudomonas aeroginosa (21 mm) and Candida albicon (18 mm), respectively. Whereas, the maximum antibacterial and antifungal activities of synthesized AgNPs were observed against Salmonella typhi (25 mm) and Penicillium notatum (36 mm), respectively. Moreover, in the case of AuNPs, the highest antibacterial and antifungal activity of synthesized AuNPs was noticed against Escherichia coli (25 mm) and C. albicon (31 mm), respectively. Findings of this study revealed that P. harmala extract and biosynthesized NPs (silver and gold) possessed significant antibacterial and antifungal properties against different bacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, P. aeroginosa, and S. typhi) and fungal (C. albicans, Aspergillus Niger, and P. notatum) strains. Further studies must be carried out to assess the probable mechanism of action associated with these antimicrobial properties.

Keywords: Peganum harmala; Ag and Au NPs; antibacterial; antifungal activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Observation of color transformation from clear to dark.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
UV–Visible spectrum of silver nanoparticles synthesized by mixing leaves extract and AgNO3 solutions in different ratios.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
UV–Visible spectrum showing the effect of different salts on silver nanoparticles.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
UV–Visible spectrum for effect of heat on Ag nanoparticle solution.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
UV–Visible spectrum showing the effect of different pH on silver nanoparticles.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
UV–Visible spectrum showing the effect of different concentrations of NaCl solution on silver nanoparticles.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Optimization of gold nanoparticles with different concentrations.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
UV–Visible spectrum of gold nanoparticles synthesized by mixing leaves extracts.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
UV–Visible Spectrum revealing the effect of different salts on gold nanoparticles.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
UV–Visible Spectra showing effect of heat at different temperatures on gold nanoparticles.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE 11
UV–Visible spectra showing the effect of different pH solution on gold nanoparticles.
FIGURE 12
FIGURE 12
NaCl treatment with different concentrations in gold nanoparticle.
FIGURE 13
FIGURE 13
FTIR spectrum of Peganum harmala extracts, AgNPs and AuNPs.
FIGURE 14
FIGURE 14
SEM image of Ag NPs (a), Au NPs (b) from Peganum harmala leaves extracts.
FIGURE 15
FIGURE 15
EDX of Ag (a), Au (b) NPs.
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 16
Anti‐bacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs by using plant extracts.
FIGURE 17
FIGURE 17
Anti‐fungal activity of the synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs by using plant extracts.
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