Abstract

The present study deals with the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Citrus reticulata juice as the reducing agent. The reaction carried out at room temperature (25°C) and at 55°C. The AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis, TEM, XRD, AFM and FTIR measurements. The produced AgNPs were also evaluated for their increased antibacterial activities with tetracycline and penicillin against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, combination of AgNPs (at 55°C) and penicillin showed high inhibition zone in E. coli (18 mm) compared to that of AgNPs (at 25°C) and tetracycline. The cytotoxic effects of AgNPs from the Citrus reticulate juice on B16/ F10 melanoma cell line were evaluated by MTT (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay. MTT assay showed a minimum cell inhibition (14.83%) at 0.125 mM (AgNPs at 25°C) and a maximum cell inhibition (31.29%) was observed at 1 mM (AgNPs at 55°C).

Keywords: Green synthesis, Citrus reticulata juice, AgNPs, antibacterial studies, cytotoxicity.