Response Surface Method for Optimizing the Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Talaromyces stipitatus and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Central composite design (CCD) as one of response surface designs was employed to optimize the biosynthesis process of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In this design, fungal cell-free filtrate of Talaromyces stipitatus was applied as a biosource for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Different variables with five levels were used to optimize AgNPs biosynthesis. Independent variables were concentration of silver nitrate (AgNO3; mmole), temperature (°C), time, pH and ratio of AgNO3 to cell free extract. While dependent variable was peak intensity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at wavelength 420 nm. The predicted optimal setup parameters were AgNO3 concentration of 7 mmol, temperature of 25 °C, time of 91.2 hr, pH of 8 and ratio of AgNO3 solution to cell-free extract of 2:1. The characteristics of biosynthesized AgNPs were revealed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Biosynthesized AgNPs appeared to be spherical, with mean size of 13.95 nm and zeta potential of 9.85 mV. Biosynthesized AgNPs were also examined for their antimicrobial properties against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata.