Synthesis of Biomolecule Functionalized Biocompatible Silver Nanoparticles for Antioxidant and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using quercetin (Qn) for enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The quercetin-mediated silver nanoparticles (Qn-AgNPs) were characterized by different analytical methods. The Qn-AgNPs showed maximum absorbance at 420 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The hydrodynamic size of 92.91 ± 0.65 d.nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.27 ± 0.006, and negative zeta potential of −31.36 ± 0.28 mV were measured for Qn-AgNPs. TEM analysis indicated that Qn-AgNPs were found to be homogeneous spherical particles without agglomeration. The capping of Qn and crystalline properties of Qn-AgNPs was confirmed by FTIR and XRD analysis, respectively. At a minimum concentration, Qn-AgNPs substantially inhibited the growth of bacterial pathogens, while it did not show toxicity in HEK293 cells or red blood cells and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Hence, the present results suggested that Qn could be a potent compound for the synthesis of Qn-AgNPs with promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties.