Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Fruit and Seed Extract and their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Momordica charantia is a phenolic rich vegetable. In this study, the fruits and seeds extract of M. charantia were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using biotechnological approach. Structural, morphological, and antimicrobial properties of the synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using UV/Vis Spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), High Resolution Transmission Electronics Microscopy (HRTEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). In DLS, the average particle size of Ag-NPs was found 17.5 ± 2.1 nm and 18.3 ± 1.9 nm using seed and fruit extract, respectively. HRTEM has revealed their spherical structure for both seed and fruit extract of M. charantia. FESEM images found Ag-NPs with the size between ~20 and ~35 nm. The Ag NPs exhibited Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) centered at 405 nm for seed extract and 402 nm for fruit extract using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. FT-IR results showed phenolic and carbohydrate compounds involved in the synthesis of the Ag NPs. Furthermore, the synthesized Ag NPs has found highly rich in antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. Thus, bioconversion of Ag NPs by M. charantia could be employed as a potential antibacterial source to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms from agricultural and food preservation industry.