Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Ferulago macrocarpa flowers extract and their antibacterial, antifungal and toxic effects

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were phyto-synthesized from silver nitrate solution using the Ferulago macrocarpa flower extract. The UV–Visible, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRF and XRD analysis were used to characterize the SNPs. The optimum conditions of SNP synthesis were 1mM silver nitrate volume ratio 1.3, pH 11, temperature 80°C and incubation time 2.5 h. The dark brown color formation and UV-Visible spectrum with a characteristic peak at 429 nm confirmed the SNP synthesis. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed the capping of the SNPs by compounds contained in the extract. The average size of the spherical -shaped SNPs was 17 nm ranged between 14 and 25 nm. EDX and XRF spectra revealed a strong signal in the silver region. The SNPs exhibited activity towards Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. However, they did not show toxicity on normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells at concentrations up to 250 µg/mL.