Development, Characterization and Microbiological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles, Obtained by Green Synthesis, from the Extract of Annona muricata L

ABSTRACT

Abstract Green synthesis is an efficient method, frequently applied in nanobiotechnology, as it does not use toxic reagents or solvents. Biological organisms, including medicinal plants, have been used successfully for manufacturing of different types of metallic nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained from the extract of the pulp, seed and leaves of Annona muricata L. The particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, as well as morphological aspects of AgNPs were evaluated. With the data obtained from the analyses, we concluded that the nanoparticles were successfully obtained by a simple and green method using the aqueous extract of the pulp, seeds and leaves of A. muricata. AgNPs obtained by A. muricata pulp extract without exposure to artificial light showed lowest average of hydrodynamic diameter and smallest size at field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). In addition, these nanoparticles showed the best polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of - 29.6, which indicates good stability. AgNPs obtained from the extract of the pulp, seed and leaves showed antimicrobial activity, against strains of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and antifungal activity, compared to the pure extract.