Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Polyphenols Derived from Cornelian cherry Seed Extract as Agro-Industrial Waste and Evaluation of Their Biological Activities

The present study aimed to involve the Cornelian cherry seed extract-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CCSE-AgNPs) and evaluate their biological activities. The presence of functional groups in the Cornelian cherry seed extract (CCSE) was confirmed by FTIR analysis and GC–MS analysis. The AgNPs, functionalized with bioactive molecules of CCSE, were synthesized at room temperature. The green synthesized CCSE-AgNPs using different CCS extraction ratios were monitored through UV–visible spectroscopy to determine the optimal extract: Ag⁺ ratio for nanoparticle synthesis. Further characterization using FTIR, XRD, EDX, and SEM revealed the crystalline nature, functional groups, elemental composition, and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles, respectively. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of CCSE and CCSE-AgNPs were assessed using a well-diffusion assay and a DPPH test. At a concentration of 50 µg/mL of CCSE-AgNPs, a noticeable inhibition zone with diameters of 18.50 ± 0.70 mm, 19.50 ± 0.71 mm, 23.80 ± 0.35 mm, and 15.80 ± 1.06 mm against S. aureus, E. coli, B. cereus, and L. monocytogenes, respectively, was demonstrated. Besides that, the CCSE and CCSE-AgNPs showed significant antioxidant activity. As a result, CCSE represents a sustainable and effective biological source for nanoparticle synthesis with promising applications in food safety, biomedicine, and environmental applications.