Antibacterial and Anticancer Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesised using Eragrostis tef and Vitellaria paradoxa Seeds Extract

The present study aims to investigate the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of the Eragrostis tef (teff or annual bunch grass) and Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea Butter Tree) seeds extract and investigate their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. In order to synthesise the silver nanoparticles, aqueous extract of the plant was prepared and introduced into a 1mM silver nitrate solution. The synthesised AgNPs were characterised using various instrumental techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for AgNPs using E. tef and V. paradoxa seeds extract was observed at 40 nm. The synthesised AgNPs of E. tef and V. paradoxa was found with diameter of 12.59- 34.60 nm, 29.05- 83.94 nm respectively. The antibacterial result against the experimental pathogens was found to range from 12-22 mm and from 13-19 mm using AgNPs of E. tef, V. paradoxa seed extracts respectively. In addition the result show that there was clear effect on Acinetobacter baumannii from hospital sewage isolates. Toxic effect of AgNPs against cancer cell were 77.12 (concentration of AgNPs was 75%) of E. tef and 77.23 (concentration of AgNPs was 50%) of V. paradoxa.