Research ArticleGreen Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles byUsing Ziziphus nummularia Leaves Aqueous Extract andTheir Biological Activities
Farhat Ali Khan,1,2 Muhammad Zahoor,2 Abdul Jalal,2 and Aziz Ur Rahman2
1Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan2Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18000, Pakistan
Correspondence should be addressed to Muhammad Zahoor; [email protected]
Received 24 March 2016; Revised 17 May 2016; Accepted 6 June 2016
Silver nanoparticles of Ziziphus nummularia leaves extract were synthesized and were characterized by UV-Visible spectropho-tometry, particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (FT-IR), SEM, TGA, and EDX. The XRD pattern reveals the FCC structure of Ag nanoparticles. FTIR spectraconfirmed the presence of Ag-O bonding. UV-Visible spectroscopy results confirmed the existence of Ag because of the particularpeak in the region of 400–430. The SEM analysis confirmed spherical and uniform Ag nanoparticles with diameter rangingfrom 30 nm to 85 nm. The EDX analysis revealed strong signals in the silver region and confirmed the formation of silvernanoparticles. The antioxidant potential and antifungal and antimicrobial potential of the leaf extract and silver nanoparticleswere also determined. The antioxidant property was determined using DPPH assay. The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidantproperties were better for the silver nanoparticles than the aqueous leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC),minimum bactericidal (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of plant extract and prepared silver nanoparticleswere also tested. The hair growth properties of plant extracts and their respective nanoparticles were observed and good resultswere noted for nanoparticles as compared to the leaf extract.
1. Introduction
In recent years, efforts have been made by scientists toproduce nanoparticles of specific nature and size. The roleof nanoparticles has been immensely increased in variousfields of drug delivery, catalysis, molecular imaging, DNAsequencing, biosensors and electrical device, and so forth [1–3]. Nanoparticles are very vital in all fields ofmodern sciencesincluding biology, chemistry, physics, electronics, biotech-nology, andmedicine. Ananoparticle shows propertieswhichare built on certain features such as shape, size, scattering, andmorphology [4].
Recently various methods for the synthesis of silvernanoparticles like physical, photochemical, chemical, andbiological methods have been reported by different authors.All methods have their ownmerits and demerits with generaldifficulties being scalability, particle size, costs, and size
distribution. Various physical processes are used for the syn-thesis of nanoparticle like evaporation condensation, whichis normally carried out by means of a tube heating systemat distinctive pressure. Among them, the thermal breakdowntechnique was organized to manufacture silver nanoparticlesin fine particles form [5]. Two types of approaches can be usedin the photochemical synthesis, that is, the photophysical(up to bottom) and photochemical (bottom to up) ones. Thenanoparticles are fashioned by the direct photoreduction ofvarious metal sources or reduction of various metal ionsby using photochemically generated excite species whichis frequently called photosensitization in the synthesis ofsilver nanoparticles [6, 7]. In chemical synthesis the silvernanoparticles are formed by adding various main chemicalcomponents such as AgNO
3, a reducing agent like ethylene
glycol, and capping agent (PVP) for the purpose of con-trolling the growth of nanoparticles and preventing it from
Hindawi Publishing CorporationJournal of NanomaterialsVolume 2016, Article ID 8026843, 8 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8026843
2 Journal of Nanomaterials
aggregating process. In contrast during biological synthesisof silver nanoparticles the molecules of reducing agent andthe stabilizer are replaced and formed by source of livingorganisms like fungi, bacteria, yeast, and plants [8]. Silvernanoparticles are mostly used, as an antimicrobial agent inthe medical field [9, 10] due to its strong bactericidal andinhibitory effects as well as a wide range of antimicrobialactivity for fungi, bacteria, and virus as early period [11]. Silvernanoparticles are extensively used as an antibacterial agent inevery sector of life such as industry, health, food storage, andtextile coatings in a numeral ecological applications [12–16].
Owing to the importance of nanoparticles in variousfields, the present study was aimed at synthesizing silvernanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through biological methods andcharacterized by various analytical techniques. The antimi-crobial, antioxidant, and hair growth activities of the synthe-sized nanoparticles were also determined and compared withthat of crude leaf extract.
2. Material and Methods
Silver nitrate was purchased from Scharlau Spain. Leaves ofZiziphus nummularia were collected from the Tehsil DargaiDistrict Malakand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
After collection the leaves were cleaned with distilledwater and were crushed with motor and pestle. Then fivegrams of the crushed leaves was taken in conical flask andwassoaked in 100mL of distilled water. Then the soaked leaveswere boiled for fifteen minutes with constant stirring andthen filtered through a filter paper (Whatman paper number1) to get the leaves extract and were stored in the refrigeratortill further use. Throughout the whole experiment, doublydeionized water was used.
Silver nanoparticles were prepared via standard methoddevised by Evanoff Jr. and Chumanov [17]. 0.085 g of silvernitrate was dissolved in 100mL of distilled water to getAgNO
3solution (1mM solution of silver nitrate). AgNO
3
solution was first stirred for one minute at room temperatureand then Ziziphus nummularia leaves extract was added.Reaction mixture was kept on shaker for 4 hours. Afterthe addition of leaves extract the color of the solutionimmediately changed from colorless to yellowish brown.Thischange in color indicated the formation of Ag-NPs. Differentratios (6 : 1, 8 : 1, 10 : 1, 12 : 1, and 14 : 1) of Ag solutionwere usedagainst fixed ratio of leaves extract to get different shapes andsizes of Ag-NPs. UV-Vis spectrum of the prepared nanopar-ticles was measured on PerkinElmer spectrophotometer. Theoptimization is reached at ratio 12 : 1 which was confirmedfrom color of the solution and UV-Visible spectra.
Characterization of Ag-NPs was done using standardcharacterization techniques like UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spec-troscopy, SEM, FTIR, TGA, XRD, PSA, DSC, and EDX.
The formation of Ag-NPs using Ziziphus nummularialeave extract was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy.Different ratios of Ag solution were taken against fixed ratioof Ziziphus nummularia leave extract. The UV peaks in therange of 400 to 430 confirm its formation.
Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis was done usingHitachi S-4500 SEM machine. Thin films of the sample were
prepared on SEM grid by just dropping a very small amountof the sample on the grid and gold-coated through sputtercoater. Extra solutionwas removed using a blotting paper andthen the film on the SEM grid was allowed to dry by puttingit under a mercury lamp for 5min.
Infrared spectroscopy gives information on the vibra-tional and rotational modes of motion of a molecule andhence is an important technique for identification and char-acterization of a substance. Infrared spectra were collected byusing Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (IR Prestigefourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, Shimadzu,Japan) ranging from 4000 to 600 cm−1.
The thermal gravimetric analysis was done using Dia-mond Series TG/DTA, PerkinElmer, USA, analyzer usingAl2O3as reference.
XRD analysis was carried out using Joel X-ray diffrac-tometer JDX-3532 with Ni filter, usingmonochromatic CuK𝛼radiation of wave length 1.5418 A. The X-ray generator wasoperated at 40KV and 30mA. The scanning range 2𝜃/𝜃was selected. The scanning speed 10min−1 was employed forprecise determination.
The isothermal behavior of Ag nanoparticles was investi-gated using DSC (STA 449 F3) technique over a temperaturerange of 50–600∘C in ambient air. The sample showed twotypes of peaks: endothermic peaks and exothermic peaks.
Particle size analyzer gives information about the size ofthe synthesized silver nanoparticles formed by the leaf extractof Ziziphus nummularia.
The EDX analysis was performed by using EDS X SightOxford instrument.
The antibacterial activity of extract of Ziziphus nummula-ria and nanoparticles was determined by agar well diffusionmethod. The MIC and MBC of extract and silver nanoparti-cles were checked by macro broth dilution technique [18].
The MIC and MFC of extract and silver nanoparticleswere determined for selected fungi. The MBC assay plateswere incubated for 96 hours while MFC assay plates wereincubated for 8 days [19]. The recorded observations werematched and compared with the MIC test tube that did notshow any evidence for growth after 96 h of incubating thebacteria or spore germination for the fungi after 8 days ofincubation.
Standard DPPH solution was prepared by dissolving0.039 gm of DPPH accurately weighed with the help of digitalbalance in 100mL distilled methanol to give an appropriatesolution of 0.039 gm/100mL. Then the stock solutions wereenclosed with the help of aluminum foil and were keptin the dark place to protect them from the light. 0.0125grams of each leaf extract and prepared nanoparticles wasaccurately weighed with the help of digital balance anddissolved in methanol to give the required solutions of 25mL(0.0125 gram/25mL or 500𝜇gm/mL or 0.5mg/mL) to getthe required concentration. Then these solutions were storedas Ziziphus nummularia extract and prepared nanoparticlesstock solutions. One solutionwas of 5mLpure of each solvent+0mL extract Ziziphus nummularia and prepared nanopar-ticles solutions, and these solutions were used as a controlsolution. After that, five dilute solutions were prepared fromthe Ziziphus nummularia extract and prepared nanoparticles
Journal of Nanomaterials 3
solution. Then we added 1mL of stock solution of DPPHto the diluted and control solution. All these solutions werekept in dark place for 30 minutes. Then absorbance of eachsolutionwas noted at 517 nmwave lengthwith the help ofUV-Visible spectrophotometer.
Hair growth activities of extract and silver nanoparticleswere also determined. Three rabbits were taken and the rightlimbs of all rabbits were shaved with a razor in a dimension of1×3 inches.Then the shaved area wasmassaged with distilledwater as a control, aqueous extract of Ziziphus nummularia,and silver nanoparticles three times a day throughout thewhole week and the results were noted in the form of photo-graphs.
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles. Various ap-proaches have been used to achieve an improved synthesisof silver nanoparticles like biological and chemical methods.Current information on the biological synthesis of silvernanoparticle exposed the potential of a number of phar-macologically imperative plant materials which have beeneffectively explored for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles.From the biological origins several foodstuffs are valuablein surviving humanity like they are related with their livesin several aspects like nutritional requirements and drugdevelopment. Predominantly plant contains several typesof bioactive compounds, upon interaction with inorganicnanoparticles which have a propensity to be hopeful inarea of technology and nanoscience [19]. In the presentresearch work Ag-Nps were synthesized by using Ziziphusnummularia leaves extract as a reducing and capping agent.Prepared nanoparticles were then characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, SEM, TGA, XRD, PSA,DSC, and EDX. The antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant,and hair growth properties were determined for both leavesaqueous extract and nanoparticles.
3.2. Optimization of Ratio of Silver Solution and LeavesExtract for Synthesis of Ag-NPs. Plant extract showed excel-lent reducing and stabilizing ability due to the presence oforganic compounds that helped in the reduction of Ag+3to Ag0. To find out optimized ratio of silver nitrate andZiziphus leaves extract (reducing agent) solutions, reactionswere carried out with different concentrations of 1mM silvernitrate solution and fixed concentration of leaves extractsolution. The color pattern of these reaction mixtures wasdifferentwhichwas associatedwith formation ofAg-NPs.Thecolor patterns of different ratios reaction mixtures are shownin Figure 1. UV-Visible spectroscopy results confirmed theexistence of Ag because of the particular absorption peak inthe region of 400–430. The ratio, which provided best resultwith sharpest absorption peak, was selected as optimumratio, which was 1 : 12. Figure 2 shows the UV-Visible peakspatterns of different ratio solution of silver and leaves aqueousextract. It is evident fromFigure 2 thatAg-NPs stabilizedwithZiziphus nummularia leaves extract have different shapesand sizes peaks. The shapes and size of the peaks changeas the concentration of Ag solution is changed. Absorbance
Figure 1: Color patterns of different ratios of reaction mixtures ofsilver solution and leaves extract solutions.
0.000
1.000
2.000
3.000
4.000
3.00.00 400.00 500.00 0.000
(nm)
Figure 2: UV-Visible spectra of silver nanoparticles.
maximum of Ag-NPs depends upon the concentration of Agsolution.Maximum absorbance has been shown by 1 : 12 ratioof Ag solution and Ziziphus nummularia leaves extract. Theuppermost yellow line peak is optimum ratio peak.
3.3. SEM Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles. SEM analysisshowed an image of high density Ag-NPs synthesized byZiziphus nummularia leaves extract and is shown in Figure 3.Thewhite individual spots present in the SEMphotograph aresilver nanoparticles while the larger spots are the aggregateof silver nanoparticles. The spherical and uniform Ag-NPshave been observed with diameter ranging from 4 nm to6.5 nm, most of silver nanoparticles present having diameter5.2 nm. The capping agent indicates the stabilization of thenanoparticles because they were not in direct contact evenin the aggregated condition. During SEM measurements thelarger silver nanoparticles may be due to the aggregation ofthe smaller ones.
3.4. FTIR Spectroscopy. Figure 4 shows Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy of Ag-Nps. In order to ascertainthe purity and nature of the metal nanoparticles infraredstudy was carried out. The IR spectrum consists of tworegions: functional group region and fingerprint region. Theorganic compound gives absorption band in functional groupregion while the metal normally gives absorption spectra
4 Journal of Nanomaterials
Figure 3: SEM photograph of silver nanoparticles.
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500
3442.22
1644
14541130
1063876.6
663
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
% T
rans
mitt
ance
Figure 4: FTIR photograph of silver nanoparticles.
in fingerprint region arising from the atomic vibrations ofthe molecules. The peak that was observed at 3442.22 cm−1represents O-H group due to the stretching and deformation,respectively, assigned to the water adsorption on the surfaceof metal. Similarly the peaks occur at 1644 cm−1, 1454 cm−1and 1130 cm−1, 1063 cm−1, and 876.6 cm−1 indicating differentfunctional groups that are present in the synthesized particleindicating that it can be used for various application pur-poses.Themetal oxides frequencies observed at 668 cm−1 forthe respective particles are according to the literature valuesand similarly FTIR studies of silver nanoparticles reported bySingho and his coworkers [19] favor the results.
3.5. XRD Analysis. Figure 5 shows the X-ray diffractionpattern of nanoparticles. All the diffraction peaks of samplekeep up a correspondence to the typical face centered cubic(FCC) structure of silver nanoparticles (𝑎 = 0.407 nm) [20].By using Scherrer equation 3.1 average particle size of silvernanoparticles was found to be 5.4 nm. Consider
𝐷 =
𝐾𝜆
𝛽 cos 𝜃, (1)
where 𝐷 is the mean size, 𝐾 is the constant (0.94), 𝜆 is thewavelength of X-ray, 𝛽 is the excess line broadening, and 𝜃 isthe Bragg angle. Consider
𝛽 = 𝐵 − 𝑏, (2)
where 𝐵 stands for line width (radian) and 𝑏 is instrumentline broadening (radian) [21].
0 20 40 60 80
2𝜃 (degree) angle
(111)
Ag2O
(200)
0
1000
3000
5000
Inte
nsity
(CPS
)
Ag2O
Figure 5: XRD pattern of Ag nanoparticle.
0.01 0.05 0.10 0.150 0.20
Particle diameter (𝜇m)
0
20
40
60
80
100
0
10(%)
Figure 6: PSA photograph of silver nanoparticles.
Diffraction pattern corresponds to the fact that therewere no impurities present; this proves that pure silvernanoparticles were prepared.
3.6. Particle Size Analyzer. Particle size analyzer has beenused to detect the size of the synthesized nanoparticle(Figure 6). Result of the particle size analysis confirmed thesynthesis of Ag nanoparticles from the leaves extract of Zizi-phus nummularia. On analyzing the result it has been foundthat the synthesized particle ranges from 0.10 micrometer to0.15 micrometer in size.The particles were analyzed based onthe mass median diameter which indicates the 50% diameterof the particle comprising smaller particles.Theparticleswereconsidered as spherical while being analyzed through particlesize analyzer.The results obtained are in line with the range ofAg nanoparticles represented in the review paper published[22].
3.7. TGA. The thermal gravimetric analysis is shown inFigure 7 which gives us information about the percent weightloss of silver nanoparticles upon increasing temperature. Todecompose the silver nanoparticles the sample is heated from20∘C to 160∘C; at 40∘C the decomposition of sample startsand its size decreases gradually up to 93.6∘C. Initially thesize of the sample was 8.416mg but when the temperaturewas increased the sample size and weight decreased due toremoving of moisture from the nanoparticles up to 0.0124mgat 93.6∘C; after that the size of the sample remains constantand no further weight loss occurs.
3.8. DSC Analysis. The isothermal behavior of Ag nanopar-ticles has been investigated using DSC technique over a
Journal of Nanomaterials 5
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Temperature (∘C)
Residue0.0182%
(0.0124 mg)0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Wei
ght (
%)
93.62∘C
Figure 7: TGA photograph of silver nanoparticles.
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Temperature (∘C)
40∘C
70∘C
90∘C
−12
−10
−8
−6
−4
−2
0
2
Hea
t flow
(W/g
)
Figure 8: DSC photograph of silver nanoparticles.
temperature range of 20–160∘C in ambient air. Figure 8 showsDSC curve of Ag nanoparticles. The various exothermicpeaks occur at 40∘C, 70∘C, 90∘C, and 93∘C. These peaksclearly indicate that the gradual loss of water starts fromthe surface of nanoparticles at 40∘C up to 93∘C and afterthat the size of nanoparticles remains constant up to 160∘Cwhich gives us information about the stability of silver nano-particles.
3.9. EDX Analysis. EDX spectrophotometer analysis estab-lished the existence of element Ag signal of Ag-Nps. EDXanalysis revealed strong signal of Ag region and is in Figure 9.Metal silver nanocrystals generally show typical opticalabsorption peak approximately at 3.7 kev. There were otherpeaks for C and O suggesting that they are mixed precipitatespresent in the plant extract.
Ag
O
C
2 4 6 80 12 14 16 18 2010
E (KeV)
Figure 9: EDX spectrum of silver nanoparticles.
Table 1: The antibacterial activity of the tested aqueous extract ofZiziphus nummularia and silver nanoparticles.
3.10. Antibacterial Activities of Extract and Silver Nanoparti-cles. Antibacterial activity of aqueous leaf extract was deter-mined by well diffusion method for Salmonella typhi, B.cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Thecultures were inoculated by spread plate method. The sameprocedure was followed for the determination of antibacterialactivity of silver nanoparticles of Ziziphus nummularia. Theplates were then incubated for 24 hours at 37∘C.
Table 1 data shows that leaf aqueous extracts are foundless effective as compared to nanoparticles of Ziziphus num-mularia plant. The nanoparticle has shown more inhibitionzones against different types of bacteria while leaf extracthas shown fewer inhibition zones. The nanoparticles showed17.5mm zone of inhibition against E. coli, while leaf extractshowed 10.5mm zone of inhibition against the mentionedbacteria. When we used Staphylococcus aureus bacteriathe nanoparticles showed 18mm zone of inhibition whileleaf extract showed 8mm zone of inhibition; similarly thenanoparticles showed 17mm zone of inhibition against P.aeruginosa bacteria but leaf extract showed 10mm zone ofinhibition against P. aeruginosa bacteria. The nanoparticleshave shown 16mm zone of inhibition against B. cereusbacteria, while leaf extract showed 10mm zone of inhibitionagainst B. cereus and the nanoparticle shows 21mm zone ofinhibition against S. typhi bacteria, while leaf extract shows14mm zone of inhibition against S. typhi.
6 Journal of Nanomaterials
Table 2:Antifungal activity of tested aqueous leaf extract ofZiziphusnummularia and silver nanoparticle.
3.11. Determination of Antifungal Activities. Antifungal activ-ity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was determined,using the agar well diffusion assay method.
The data of Table 2 show that the comparison of leafextract and nanoparticle of Ziziphus nummularia plantagainst different types of fungus of the nanoparticle hasfound more zones of inhibition against fungi as comparedto leaf extract. For Candida albicans fungi the nanoparticlesof leaf extract showed 8mm zone of inhibition while silvernanoparticles show 18mm zone of inhibition.The leaf extractshows 13mm zone of inhibition against A. niger fungi whilesilver nanoparticle showed 12mm zone of inhibition. Asshown in the table the nanoparticle of leaf extract showed7mm zone of inhibition against A. flavus fungi but silvernanoparticles show 13mm zone of inhibition.
3.12. The MIC and MBC Activity of Ziziphus nummulariaand Silver Nanoparticles. Table 3 shows the MIC and MBCactivity of Ziziphus nummularia and silver nanoparticlesagainst various bacterial strains. The MIC against E. coli was210 𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silver nanoparticleswas 90 𝜇g/mL, similarly the MBC for the same bacteria was450𝜇g/mL in leaf extract while that of silver nanoparticleswas 190 𝜇g/mL.TheMIC against P. aeruginosawas 190 𝜇g/mLin leaf extract while that of silver nanoparticles was 70 𝜇g/mL;similarly the MBC for the same bacteria was 370 𝜇g/mL forleaf extract while that of silver nanoparticles was 130 𝜇g/mL.The MIC against Staphylococcus aureus was 240 𝜇g/mL forleaf extract while that of silver nanoparticles was 170 𝜇g/mL.The MIC against S. typhi was 120𝜇g/mL in leaf extract whilethat of silver nanoparticles was 65 𝜇g/mL. Similarly the MBCfor the same bacteria was 240𝜇g/mL for leaf extract whilethat of silver nanoparticles was 90 𝜇g/mL. The MIC againstB. cereus was 200𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silvernanoparticles was 80 𝜇g/mL. Similarly the MBC for the same
Table 4:TheMIC andMFC values in 𝜇g/mL of Ziziphus nummula-ria and silver nanoparticles.
Fungus MIC MFC MIC MFCAqueous extract Silver nanoparticles
bacteria was 390 𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silvernanoparticles was 135 𝜇g/mL. The above value shows thatsilver nanoparticles were more effective as compared to leafextract.
3.13. The MIC and MFC Activity of Ziziphus nummulariaand Silver Nanoparticles. Table 4 shows the MIC and MFCactivity of Ziziphus nummularia and silver nanoparticlesagainst various fungal strains. The MIC against A. niger was350 𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silver nanoparticleswas 120𝜇g/mL and in the same way the MFC for thesame fungus was 560𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that ofsilver nanoparticles was 170 𝜇g/mL. The MIC against A.flavus was 430 𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silvernanoparticles was 150 𝜇g/mL. Similarly theMFC for the samefungal strain was 510𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that ofsilver nanoparticleswas 180𝜇g/mL.TheMICagainstCandidaalbicans was 280𝜇g/mL in leaf extract while that of silvernanoparticles was 95 𝜇g/mL; similarly the MFC for the sametested fungi was 380 𝜇g/mL for leaf extract while that of silvernanoparticles was 130 𝜇g/mL. The above value shows thatsilver nanoparticles are more effective as compared to the leafextract.
3.14. Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Extract and Silver Nanopar-ticles. Free radical scavenging activity of leaves extractZiziphus nummularia and silver nanoparticles is shown inTable 5. It is evident from the table that free radical scaveng-ing activity of the extract and nanoparticles increases withincrease in concentration of active components. Compara-tively NPs showed enhanced antioxidant activity.
3.15. Hair Growth Activity. To identify the hair growth activ-ities of distilled water, leaf extract, and silver nanoparticles,1 × 3 cm part on each rabbit right leg was shaved with razorand photographs were taken from the shaved parts of rabbitsin the beginning and at the end of experiments (Figure 10).The photograph showed that the rabbit shaved part massagedwith silver nanoparticles has better result as compared to leafextract and distilled water.
Journal of Nanomaterials 7
Zero days Zero days Zero days
Control (14th day) Extract (14th day) Nanoparticles (14th day)
Figure 10: Hair grow activity of leaf extract and silver nanoparticles of Ziziphus nummularia.
4. Conclusions
In the present study silver nanoparticles were synthesizedby biological synthesis. UV-Visible spectroscopy results con-firmed the existence of Ag because of the particular peak inthe region of 400–430.The SEM analysis confirmed sphericaland uniform Ag-NPs with diameter ranging from 30 nm to85 nm. The EDX analysis revealed strong signals in the silverreigon and confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles.The antioxidant potential and antifungal and antimicrobialpotential of the leaf extract and silver nanoparticles weredetermined. The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidantproperties were found to be better for the silver nanoparticlesthan the aqueous leaf extract of Ziziphus nummularia. TheMIC, MBC, and MFC of plant extract and prepared silvernanoparticles were also tested. Every time, the prepared silvernanoparticles were found to be better than the leaf extractof Ziziphus nummularia.The hair growth properties of plantextracts and their respective nanoparticles were observedand compared. The silver nanoparticles give good result ascompared to leaf extract of Ziziphus nummularia.
Competing Interests
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.
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