Eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles via tangerine peel extract: Unveiling their multifaceted biological and catalytic potentials
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In recent years, the use of nanoscience and nanotechnology has gained significant attention due to the unique properties of nanomaterials in environmental and biological fields. In this study, we synthesized gold nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method involving tangerine peel extract (Au@TPE NPs) as both a capping and reducing agent. Tangerine peel extract proved to be an excellent alternative to conventional chemical reducing agents. Optimization of synthesis conditions, including time (5, 30, 60, and 90 min), temperature (25, 40, and 60[[EQUATION]]), and gold concentration (5, 10, 15, and 20 mM), was performed to achieve the optimal size and morphology of the gold nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, FT-IR, EDAX, FESEM, and TEM. Results indicated that the gold nanoparticles synthesized at 40°C and a concentration of 15 mM exhibited the best size and morphology. FESEM and TEM analyses confirmed that the nanoparticles had an average size of[[EQUATION]]26[[EQUATION]]5 nm and a spherical morphology with uniform distribution. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results showed the highest antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of 31.25, 62.5, and 31.25 µg/ml, respectively. The lowest antibacterial activity was observed against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC of 125, 250, and 125 µg/ml, respectively. Additionally, the Au@TPE NPs (sample no. 9) exhibited significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The antioxidant activity of the Au@TPE NPs (sample no. 9) was assessed using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, revealing a 92.7% inhibition of radicals at a concentration of 250 µg/ml. Finally, the photocatalytic performance of the Au@TPE NPs was evaluated for the degradation of pollutants, methyl orange and rhodamine B, under UV and sunlight irradiations. The results demonstrated that, after 130 minutes, the nanoparticles were able to degrade 88.6 and 67.3% of the methyl orange and 93.2 and 74.1% of the rhodamine B under UV and sunlight irradiations, respectively. Given the promising biological and catalytic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles, they hold great potential for various applications.
Source: Heliyon
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,100
OpenAlex ID: W4404093737