Green biosynthesis, characterization of silver nanoparticles using a green alga Spirogyra sp., and their antioxidant and enzyme activities

Abstract

A simple, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and one-step alternative method was reported for the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) operating the Spirogyra sp. extract as a reducing and stabilizing substance. Concentration of AgNO3 and reaction time were optimized to prepare AgNPs under controlled conditions. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and elemental mapping. The TEM analysis showed that the average particle size of AgNPs was 18.3 nm. Structural details of silver nanoparticles elucidated by Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) based on TEM images. In addition, biological activity tests were applied to nanoparticles and algal extracts to determine antioxidant activity (3 different tests: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC)) and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition. Antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition values of silver nanoparticles are higher than the values of Spirogyra sp. extracts.