Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their antiprolytic and antibiotic properties

Abstract In the present study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum chalybeum roots. The root extract was used both as the silver salt reducing agent as well as the post-synthesis stabilizing agent. The synthesis of the silver nanoparticles was optimized for pH, time, Z. chalybeum extract concentration, silver nitrate concentration, and temperature. The shape, morphology and size of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-vis spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM), whilst elemental analysis was performed using Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Investigation of anti-proteolytic activity of the silver nanoparticles using egg albumin showed that the particles inhibited digestion of albumin by Bitis arietans snake venom. The minimum concentration of silver nanoparticles required for 100% inhibition of the proteolytic activity was 3.28 mg/L. Antimicrobial activity of the silver nanoparticles against both gram positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains was confirmed by zone of inhibition observed for the strains. The findings of this work show that Z. chalybeum-mediated silver nanoparticles have great potential both as anti-snake venom and antibacterial agents.