Novel Ecogenic Plasmonic Biohybrids as Multifunctional Bioactive Coatings

Abstract

The objective of the present study is the valorization of natural resources and the recycling of vegetal wastes by converting them into novel plasmonic bio-active hybrids. Thus, a “green” approach was used to design pectin-coated bio-nanosilver. Silver nanoparticles were generated from two common garden herbs (Mentha piperita and Amaranthus retroflexus), and pectin was extracted from lemon peels. The samples were characterized by the following methods: Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)–Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and zeta potential measurements. Microscopic investigations revealed the spherical shape and the nano-scale size of the prepared biohybrids. Their bioperformances were checked in terms of antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The developed plasmonic materials exhibited a strong ability to scavenge short-life (96.1% ÷ 98.7%) and long-life (39.1% ÷ 91%) free radicals. Microbiological analyses demonstrated an impressive antibacterial effectiveness of pectin-based hybrids against Escherichia coli. The results are promising, and the obtained biomaterials could be used in many bio-applications, especially as antioxidant and antimicrobial biocoatings.