Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Eucalyptus and Piper Longum and Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation.

Background: Gold is the oldest dental restorative material, used for dental repairs for more than 4000 years, and remains an important metal included in the dental sector. In a world where nanoparticle importance has been well established and preparation of nanoparticles has become much easier, it is important to assess if these nanoparticles can be extracted from plants as well. Along with its extraction, analysis of each property of the nanoparticle is essential. Pepper and eucalyptus remain two of the most important ingredients used in ayurveda and can be easily found as a component in everyday consumption.

Aim: This study was to extract gold nanoparticles using eucalyptus and piper longum and evaluate the antibacterial activity of the derived gold nanoparticles.

Materials and methodology: Preparation of plant extract was done following which extraction of gold nanoparticles was performed. Antibacterial properties of the gold nanoparticles were tested by well diffusion method and compared against the antibacterial gold standard, antibiotic amoxicillin. After 24 hours, the zone of inhibitions was measured in millimeters and the data were compiled.

Results: The resultant green synthesized gold nanoparticles show high antibacterial activity against S. albicans, and a fair amount of antibacterial activity against S. mutans, S. aureus, and E. faecalis, which was revealed by comparing the zone of inhibition to the gold standard, amoxicillin 500 mg.

Conclusion: Gold nanoparticles were found to have good antimicrobial activity.