Synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Double-green approach of using chitosan and microwave technique towards antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

A double green approach to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using chitosan as a reducing agent and microwave radiation has been carried out in this study. Chitosan was extracted from marine crab carapace and the morphology of the produced chitosan was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was monitored by the formation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at the λmax= 420 nm, indicates the reduction of the oxidation state of Ag+ to Ag0. The XRD data confirms the crystallinity nature of obtained AgNps, while the SEM and TEM revealed the formation of near-spherical shapes, polydisperse, heterogeneous distribution of AgNps with the size range between 7 to 25 nm. The antimicrobial activities of the AgNPs were investigated using The prepared AgNPs demonstrated dual mechanism action with chitosan, which acted as a stabilizer on the surface of AgNPs, and enhance the inhibition zone against E. tarda and E. coli. Therefore, the synthesized AgNPs in this study may have excellent potential for clinical application as it is green, low-cost and eco-friendly.