Green Synthesis and Antimicrobial Potential of Silver Nanoparticles from Citrus aurantium
The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been proposed as an eco-friendly and cost-effective substitute for chemical and physical methods. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles using the peel extract of Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed, and to determine the possible phytochemical constituents’ presence in the plant extracts that might be responsible for the synthesis. Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed extraction was followed by phytochemical studies of secondary metabolites, FTIR analysis confirmation of functional groups analysis. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized through bio-reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles using Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed and characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy (Bark, Leaf and Seed), SEM (Bark and Leaf), XRD (Bark, Leaf and Seed) and FTIR (Bark Leaf and Seed). The FTIR analysis of the extract revealed the presence of functional groups like hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amine, and phenyl with similar functional groups. The synthesized silver nanoparticle (AgNP) has displayed the characteristics of a UV-Vis spectroscopy band peak from 400–420 nm. The XRD analysis also confirmed that the nanoparticles synthesized are crystalline in nature. Based on the findings of this study, it is understood that the variety of natural compounds that are present in plant extracts of Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed can act as both reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. It is, therefore, concluded that Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed extract can be potentially used for the large production of silver nanoparticles for several applications.
Due to their potential and potential applications in a variety of fields, including biomedicine, nanomedicine, agriculture, and biosensors, there has been an increase in interest in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles such as zinc, silver, platinum, and gold in recent years (Tijjani Mustapha et al., 2023; Pirtarighat et al., 2019). Due to their high stability and low chemical reactivity compared to other metals, silver nanoparticles have been studied more than any other nanomaterial. Because of their unique and promising qualities, they are frequently employed as larvicidal, antibacterial, and anticancer agents (Tijjani Mustapha et al., 2023; Mustapha et al., 2022). Nonetheless, two distinct approaches are frequently used to synthesize them: the chemical and physical approaches. Typically, chemical or physical techniques such as micelle synthesis, sol process, chemical precipitation, hydrothermal method, pyrolysis, and chemical vapour deposition are used to create nanomaterials (Charusheela Ramteke et al., 2013; Leela and Vivekantandan, 2008). Certain techniques are simple and allow for the regulation of crystallite size through the restoration of the reaction environment. However, there are still issues with the product's overall stability and getting monodisperse nanosize using these techniques (Kowshik et al., 2002; Charusheela Ramteke et al., 2013). Furthermore, it has been discovered that a large number of conventional techniques are capitalintensive and inefficient in their use of materials and energy (Klaus-Joerger et al., 2001; Charusheela Ramteke et al., 2013).
A green method has recently been proposed to replace the methods that harm the environment, such as chemical and physical ones. The biological method also referred to as the green synthesis technique or method makes use of bacteria, fungi, and plants. Using plant extracts from different plant parts, including the peel, stem, leaf, root, and fruit, several studies have reported the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Charusheela Ramteke et al., 2013; Atharbi et al., 2018; Ayodele et al., 2020; Kokila et al., 2015). A flowering plant in the Rutacea family is called Citrus aurantium. The terms "bitter orange" and "key lime" are frequently used to describe them (Khan Pathan et al., 2012; Nur et al., 2016). It is one of the most widely used citrus species in Malaysia, where it is mostly utilized in traditional medicine and food. Its 3–5 m tall, spiky stem is its main feature. The citrus plant is spherical in shape, with leaves that are 3–5 cm thick and 5–9 cm long (Nur et al., 2016; Daigy, 2009; Mandal et al., 2009). Traditionally, tulsi leaves have been used to treat a variety of infections. It has been stated that the antibacterial activity stems from the components of essential oils, primarily the eugenols. The goal of this study is to create silver nanoparticles using Tulsi leaf aqueous extract. Additionally, in an effort to maximize antimicrobial action, we try combining the natural antibacterial properties of Tulsi extract with silver metal (Raghunan et al., 2011; Dubey et al., 2010; Baret et al., 2009).
Even though there have been a number of studies on silver nanoparticles, more thorough research is still needed on the environmentally friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles utilizing plant extracts (GardeaTorresdey et al., 2003; Rafique et al., 2017). To our knowledge, no research has been done on the use of Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed extract in the plant-mediated production of silver nanoparticle. Thus, identifying and characterizing the function of metabolites in the creation of silver nanoparticles constitutes the novelty of the current work. Considering the aforementioned, the purpose of this work was to use Citrus aurantium Bark, Leaf and Seed extract to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticle and to identify potential phytochemical constituents present in the plant extracts that could be involved in the synthesis of the silver nanoparticle.
Source : Citrus aurantium bark, seeds, and leaves were used to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticle and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated
