Microwave Irradiation-Assisted Extraction and Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Tree Tomato Fruit Pulp (Solanum betaceum Sendt.) and Determination of In Vitro Cytotoxic Effect on MCF-7 Cells

Abstract

Green route approaches are considered to be safer alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods for the fabrication of nanomaterials due to their eco-friendly nature. In the present investigation, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by microwave irradiation using aqueous fruit extract of Solanum betaceum (tree tomato). The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM (EDAX), HR-TEM, and zeta potential analyses. UV-visible spectrophotometer showed absorbance peak in the range of 240--280 nm and provided sample evidence for the formation of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytoconstituents as stabilizing agents around the AgNPs. XRD and HR-TEM analyses clearly indicated the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. From the TEM images, the silver nanoparticles were found to be roughly spherical and pyramidal in shape. The zeta potential analysis indicated that Ag-NPs have good stability, and EDAX analysis also exhibits presentation of silver element. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized AgNPs against human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) was investigated, and the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) was found to be 100 $μ$g/mL at 24-h incubation. The data obtained in the study reveal the potent therapeutic value of biogenic silver nanoparticles and the scope for further development of anticancer drugs.