Antioxidant, antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities of silver nanoparticles obtained by bee propolis extract assisted biosynthesis

Abstract

Taking into consideration the advantages of green synthesis of nanoparticles, the present study focuses on the formation, characterization and evaluation of some biological activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained using bee propolis extract. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were evaluated. The formation of AgNPs was primarily confirmed by the change in colour and by the appearance in the UV-Vis spectrum of the characteristic silver surface plasmon resonance band. Several compounds that can participate in the reduction process were identified by characteristic peaks of functional groups in the FTIR spectra. The presence of elemental silver was confirmed by Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Morphological study of AgNPs was carried out using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confirmed the spherical shape. The investigated propolis extract is a valuable source of compounds which can participate in the synthesis of AgNPs with antimicrobial, antioxidant and photocatalytic degradation properties.