A Study of the Surface Plasmon Resonance of Silver Nanoparticles by the Discrete Dipole Approximation Method: Effect of Shape,Size, Structure,and Assembly

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was studied with the discrete dipole approximation considering different shapes, sizes, dielectric environments, and supraparticles assemblies. In particular, we focused our simulations on AgNPs with sizes below 10 nm, where the correction of silver dielectric constant for intrinsic size effects is necessary. We found that AgNPs shape and assembly can induce distinctive features in the extinction spectra and that SPR is more intense when AgNPs have discoid or flat shapes and are embedded in a dielectric shell with high refractive index. However, the SPR loses much of its distinctive features when size effects and stabilizing molecules induce significant broadening of the extinction bands that is often observed in the case of thiolated AgNPs smaller than about 5 nm. These results are useful indications for in situ characterization and monitoring of AgNPs synthesis and for the engineering of AgNPs with new plasmonic properties.     

沼泽红假单胞菌生物合成银纳米粒子及其抗菌作用

近年来,利用沼泽红假单胞菌合成银纳米粒子作为一种可靠和环境友好的方法出现。主要利用沼泽红假单胞菌的细胞滤液来还原银离子。制备的纳米粒子用紫外可见光谱(UV-vis)、X射线衍射光谱(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)进行表征。含有银粒子溶液的UV-vis光谱显示在420 nm-460 nm处出现银纳米粒子的吸收峰。TEM图像表明所形成的银纳米粒子的粒径范围为5 nm-20 nm。纳米粒子的XRD图谱证明产物为金属银。所制备的银纳米粒子对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌作抑菌性试验。     

Fruit extract capped colloidal silver nanoparticles and their application in reduction of methylene blue dye

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a promising environmentally benign synthetic route in nanoscience and nanotechnology during recent years. In the present work, we have developed an environment-friendly and low-cost method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using aqueous fruit extract of Dillenia indica. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR study was performed to know the interaction of bio-molecules present in the fruit extract with AgNPs. The catalytic application of the as-synthesized AgNPs was demonstrated against degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous system. The absorption spectra of colloidal suspension of AgNPs showed characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band centred at a wavelength of 416?nm. TEM image showed that the AgNPs were almost spherical in shape having an average diameter of 10.78?±?.48?nm. XRD pattern and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern with bright spots signify the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The fruit extract-capped AgNPs was highly stable and have showed the effective catalytic activity in reduction of MB dye.     

How the surface properties affect the nanocytotoxicity of silver? Study of the influence of three types of nanosilver on two wheat varieties

The influence of silver nanoparticles on calli cells of stress tolerant—Parabola and stress sensitive—Raweta wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. Three types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were tested: cystamine-stabilized (positively charged), unmodified, synthesized using sodium borohydride and citrate-stabilized AgNPs, both negatively charged. Physico-chemical properties of silver nanoparticles were investigated by: UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering used for electrophoretic mobility and hydrodynamic diameter determination and transmission electron microscopy. The evaluation of cytotoxicity was estimated basing on lipid peroxidation, proline content and antioxidant enzymes activity. For sensitive variety every type of nanoparticles induced stress (proline increase) in cells, but positively charged nanoparticles were most cytotoxic. Treatment of stress tolerant Parabola by AgNPs caused the increase in SOD activity, suggesting the occurrence of oxidative stress in cells, confirmed by the increase of membrane lipid peroxidation. Negatively charged AgNPs were significantly more cytotoxic to the calli cells of sensitive variety in comparison to tolerant one.     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using haloarchaeal isolate Halococcus salifodinae BK3

Numerous bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses have been exploited for biosynthesis of highly structured metal sulfide and metallic nanoparticles. Haloarchaea (salt-loving archaea) of the third domain of life Archaea, on the other hand have not yet been explored for nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, we report the intracellular synthesis of stable, mostly spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the haloarchaeal isolate Halococcus salifodinae BK₃. The culture on adaptation to silver nitrate exhibited growth kinetics similar to that of the control. NADH-dependent nitrate reductase was involved in silver tolerance, reduction, synthesis of AgNPs, and exhibited metal-dependent increase in enzyme activity. The AgNPs preparation was characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, XRD, TEM and EDAX. The XRD analysis of the nanoparticles showed the characteristic Bragg peaks of face-centered cubic silver with crystallite domain size of 22 and 12 nm for AgNPs synthesized in NTYE and halophilic nitrate broth (HNB), respectively. The average particle size obtained from TEM analysis was 50.3 and 12 nm for AgNPs synthesized in NTYE and HNB, respectively. This is the first report on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by haloarchaea.     

New Toxicity Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles: Promoting Apoptosis and Inhibiting Proliferation

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly recognized for their utility in biological applications, especially antibacterial effects. Herein, we confirmed the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles on Escherichia coli using the conventional optical density (OD) and colony-forming units (CFU) method and used flow cytometry (FC), TEM and BrdU ELISA to investigate the mechanisms of this effect. From the results, we conclude that AgNPs can simultaneously induce apoptosis and inhibit new DNA synthesis in the cells in a positive concentration-dependent manner. This study presents the first induction of apoptosis in these bacteria by AgNPs in this field. Our findings may provide a new strategy for the use of silver nanoparticles in antibacterial applications.     

Tansy fruit mediated greener synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles

In this paper we have reported the green synthesis of silver (AgNPs) and gold (AuNPs) nanoparticles by reduction of silver nitrate and chloroauric acid solutions, respectively, using fruit extract of Tanacetum vulgare; commonly found plant in Finland. The process for the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs is rapid, novel and ecofriendly. Formation of the AgNPs and AuNPs were confirmed by surface plasmon spectra using UV–Vis spectrophotometer and absorbance peaks at 452 and 546 nm. Different tansy fruit extract concentration (TFE), silver and gold ion concentration, temperature and contact times were experimented in the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs. The properties of prepared nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, XRD, EDX and FTIR. Finally zeta potential values at various pH were analyzed along with corresponding SPR spectra.     

Genotoxicity and oxidative stress in fish after a short-term exposure to silver nanoparticles

This study examined the effects of waterborne silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on juvenile fish Piaractus mesopotamicus (“pacú”), and analyzed toxicological endpoints such as metal burdens, oxidative stress and genotoxicity in a short-term assay. Fish were individually exposed to 0 (control), 2.5, 10, and 25 μg AgNPs/L. After 24 h, silver accumulation was greater in the brain than the liver and gills at all silver concentrations. Fish exposed to higher AgNPs concentrations showed major alterations in oxidative stress markers. An increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels was observed in the liver of fish exposed to 10 μg AgNPs/L with no changes in the antioxidant enzymes activities. In the case of the 25 μg AgNPs/L treatment, a hepatic activation of the enzymatic antioxidant defense occurred, and LPO levels resulted unaltered. On the other hand, the brain presented the highest LPO levels at both 10 and 25 μg AgNPs/L exposures. The AgNPs toxicity was also evidenced by the DNA damage in fish erythrocytes at higher concentrations. Summarizing, a short exposure to sublethal concentrations of AgNPs is enough to generate deleterious effects on fish, including DNA damage.     

Cytotoxicity of water-soluble mPEG-SH-coated silver nanoparticles in HL-7702 cells

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being used widely and increasingly in various products and medical supplies due to their antibacterial activity. However, little is known about the impacts of the AgNPs. Herein, The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of AgNPs in the human liver cell line (HL-7702). The water-soluble α-Methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-ω-mercapto (mPEG-SH)-coated AgNPs (40 nm) were synthesized, which showed superior stabilization and uniform dispersion in culture medium. The effect of mPEG-SH-coated silver nanoparticles on cell viability, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and cell cycle was evaluated after the cells were treated with nanoparticles. The results showed that the coated AgNPs could be taken up by cells, decreased cell viability in dose- and time-dependent manners at dosage levels between 6.25 and 100.00 μg/mL, caused membrane damage (LDH leakage), and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxides. The level of malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation, was also increased in AgNPs-exposed cells. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis showed that AgNP exposure decrease MMP and cause G?/M phase arrest. Thus, our data suggest that mPEG-SH-coated AgNPs have the potential toxicity that is associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage.     

Ultrasound assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using weed plant

This study presents the facile, green and eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using weed plant Lantana camara L. leaf extract. The incorporation of ultrasound into this reduced the time and increased the reaction rate. The results showed that the AgNPs were spherical in shape with the average size of 33.8 nm. The EDAX pattern indicated the presence of abundant silver and XRD indicated that the (111) crystallographic plane more predominant than other planes. The possible functional groups responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. The XPS results concluded that the nanoparticles were presented in its reduced metallic state. The antioxidant activity of AgNPs was assayed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. The increase in the concentration of AgNPs increased the DPPH scavenging activity. The AgNPs revealed superior antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative organisms.     

Antibiofilm and antimicrobial activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using marine red algae Gelidium corneum

In our study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out using a red algae Gelidium corneum extract as reducing agent. The obtained silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis, TEM, XRD, FTIR and ICP-MS measurements. FTIR measurements indicated the possible functional groups responsible for the stabilization and reduction of nanoparticles, while XRD analysis results explained the crystalline structure of the particles with centric cubic geometry. TEM micrographs showed that the size of the nanoparticles was between 20–50 nm. According to the broth microdilution test results, AgNPs showed a high antimicrobial activity with very low MIC values (0.51 μg/ml for Candida albicans yeast and 0.26 μg/ml for Escherichia coli bacteria). The different ultrastructural effects of silver nanoparticles on yeast and bacterial cells were observed by TEM. Antibiofilm efficacy studies were also examined in two stages as prebiofilm and postbiofilm effect. In prebiofilm effect studies, AgNPs (0.51 μg/ ml) exhibited 81% reducing effect on biofilm formation. The highest reduction rate in postbiofilm studies was 73.5% and this was achieved with 2.04 μg/ml AgNPs. Our data support that the silver nanoparticles obtained by this environmentally friendly process have potential to be used for industrial and therapeutic purposes.     

Nuclear targeted silver nanospheres perturb the cancer cell cycle differently than those of nanogold

Plasmonic nanoparticle research has become increasingly active due to potential uses in biomedical applications. However, little is known about the intracellular effects these nanoparticles have on mammalian cells. The aim of this work is to investigate whether silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) conjugated with nuclear and cytoplasmic targeting peptides exhibit the same intracellular effects on cancer cells as peptide-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Nuclear and cytoplasmic targeting spherical AgNPs with a diameter of 35 nm were incubated in a cancer (HSC-3) and healthy (HaCat) cell line. By utilizing flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and real-time dark field imaging, we were able to analyze how targeting AgNPs affect the cell cycle and cell division. These experiments demonstrated that nuclear-targeting AgNPs cause DNA double-strand breaks and a subsequent increase in the sub G1 (apoptotic) population in our cancer cell model at much lower concentrations than previously reported for nuclear targeting AuNPs. Unlike the M phase accumulation seen in cancer cells treated with AuNPs, an accumulation in the G2 phase of the cell cycle was observed in both cell models when treated with AgNPs. Additionally, real-time dark field imaging showed that cancer cells treated with nuclear targeting AgNPs did not undergo cell division and ultimately underwent programmed cell death. A possible explanation of the observed results is discussed in terms of the chemical properties of the nanoparticles.     

Preparation,characterization of silver phyto nanoparticles and their impact on growth potential of Lupinus termis L. seedlings

The current study reports rapid and easy method for synthesis of eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Coriandrum sativum leaves extract as a reducing and covering agent. The bio-reductive synthesis of AgNPs was monitored using a scanning double beam UV-vis spectrophotometer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the morphology of AgNPs obtained from plant extracts. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of AgNPs indicate that the structure of AgNPs is the face centered cubic structure of metallic silver. The surface morphology and topography of the AgNPs were examined by scanning electron microscopy and the energy dispersive spectrum revealed the presence of elemental silver in the sample. The silver phyto nanoparticles were collected from plant extract and tested growth potential and metabolic pattern in (Lupinus termis L.) seedlings upon exposure to different concentrations of AgNPs. The seedlings were exposed to various concentrations of (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg L^?1) AgNPs for ten days. Significant reduction in shoot and root elongation, shoot and root fresh weights, total chlorophyll and total protein contents were observed under the higher concentrations of AgNPs. Exposure to 0.5 mg L^?1 of AgNPs decreased sugar contents and caused significant foliar proline accumulation which considered as an indicator of the stressful effect of AgNPs on seedlings. AgNPs exposure resulted in a dose dependent decrease in different growth parameters and also caused metabolic disorders as evidenced by decreased carbohydrates and protein contents. Further studies needed to find out the efficacy, longevity and toxicity of AgNPs toward photosynthetic system and antioxidant parameters to improve the current investigation.     

Exopolysaccharide-mediated silver nanoparticles produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus brevis</Emphasis> NM101-1 as antibiotic adjuvant

A green, simple and effective approach was performed to synthesize potent silver nanoparticles using bacterial exopolysaccharide as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The formation of nanoparticles was first screened by measuring the surface plasmon resonance peak around 400 nm using UV-vis spectroscopy. The morphology of the synthesized AgNPs was determined using TEM, which indicated that the AgNPs were spherical in shape and with an average size of 11–25 nm. The presence of elemental silver of the AgNPs was confirmed by EDX analysis. The possible functional groups of EPS responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs were evaluated using FTIR. The EPS reduced AgNPs showed excellent antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities against various human pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the efficiency of AgNPs with various broad-spectrum antibiotics against the tested strains was evaluated. It is evident that, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the selected antibiotics were increased in the presence of AgNPs. The increase in activity was more pronounced for gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli. Interestingly, the combination of antibiotics with AgNPs has significantly increased the membrane protein leakage and ROS generation than antibiotics or AgNPs alone. This work supports that AgNPs can be used to enhance the activity of existing antibiotics against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria for the treatment of infectious diseases.     

Robust one pot synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles by simple redox method and absorbance recovered sensing

Conventional synthesis of silver nanoparticles employs a reducing agent and a capping agent. In this report water-soluble silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared facilely by chemical reduction of Ag(I) ions. 4-Amino-3-(d-gluco-pentitol-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione (AGTT) was used both as reducing and stabilizing agent. Direct heating methodology was found to be more suitable for achieving particles with a hydrodynamic diameter of ~20 nm. AGTT exists as tautomer in solution form and our studies indicate that -NH(2) group is involved in the reduction and stabilization of Ag(+) and thione (Δ=S) group of AGTT is possibly involved in stabilizing the nanoparticles via coordinate covalent linkage. Characterization of synthesized silver nanoparticles was performed by UV-vis, FT-IR and by FESEM. Based on the absorption properties of synthesized AgNPs, we used AgNPs to detect bovine serum albumin (BSA) and AgNPs-BSA composite nanoprobe was further applied to detect Cu(2+) based on absorbance recovery. The proposed method has advantages over existing methods in terms of rapid synthesis and stability of AgNPs and their applications. Analysis is reproducible, cost effective and highly sensitive. The lowest detectable concentration of BSA in this approach is 3 nM, and for Cu(2+) it can detect upto 200 pM.     

Silver nanoparticles from Prosopis glandulosa and their potential application as biocontrol of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Bacillus cereus

In the present study the characterization and properties of silver nanoparticles from Prosopis glandulosa leaf extract (AgNPs) were investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDS), zeta potential and dynamic light scattering. The UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis showed the absorbance peaked at 487 nm, which indicated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The experimental results showed silver nanoparticles had Z-average diameter of 421 nm with higher stability (?200 mV). The EDS analysis also exhibited presentation of silver element. Additionally, the different concentrations of AgNPs (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/mL) showed antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Bacillus cereus. Finally, AgNPs from leaf extracts of P. glandulosa may be used as an agent of biocontrol of microorganism of importance medical. However, further studies will be needed to fully understand the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles obtain from P. glandulosa.     

Phyto-synthesis of silver nanoparticles using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternanthera tenella</Emphasis> leaf extract: an effective inhibitor for the migration of human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells

In this study, phyto-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved using an aqueous leaf extract of Alternanthera tenella. The phytochemical screening results revealed that flavonoids are responsible for the AgNPs formation. The AgNPs were characterised using UV–visible spectrophotometer, field emission scanning microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction. The average size of the nanoparticles was found to be ≈48 nm. The EDX results show that strong signals were observed for the silver atoms. The strong band appearing at 1601–1595 cm^?1 correspond to C–C stretching vibration from dienes in FT-IR spectrum indicating the formation of AgNPs. Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells treated with various concentrations of AgNPs showed a dose-dependent increase in cell inhibition. The IC₅₀ value of the AgNPs was calculated to be 42.5 μg mL^?1. The AgNPs showed a significant reduction in the migration of MCF-7 cells.     

Ultrastructural Analysis of Candida albicans When Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, and recently some studies have reported the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against some Candida species. However, ultrastructural analyses on the interaction of AgNPs with these microorganisms have not been reported. In this work we evaluated the effect of AgNPs on C. albicans, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to have a fungicidal effect. The IC₅₀ was also determined, and the use of AgNPs with fluconazole (FLC), a fungistatic drug, reduced cell proliferation. In order to understand how AgNPs interact with living cells, the ultrastructural distribution of AgNPs in this fungus was determined. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed a high accumulation of AgNPs outside the cells but also smaller nanoparticles (NPs) localized throughout the cytoplasm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of intracellular silver. From our results it is assumed that AgNPs used in this study do not penetrate the cell, but instead release silver ions that infiltrate into the cell leading to the formation of NPs through reduction by organic compounds present in the cell wall and cytoplasm.     

Genus-wide physicochemical evidence of extracellular crystalline silver nanoparticles biosynthesis by Morganella spp

This study was performed to determine whether extracellular silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) production is a genus-wide phenotype associated with all the members of genus Morganella, or only Morganella morganii RP-42 isolate is able to synthesize extracellular Ag nanoparticles. To undertake this study, all the available Morganella isolates were exposed to Ag+ ions, and the obtained nanoproducts were thoroughly analyzed using physico-chemical characterization tools such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was identified that extracellular biosynthesis of crystalline silver nanoparticles is a unique biochemical character of all the members of genus Morganella, which was found independent of environmental changes. Significantly, the inability of other closely related members of the family Enterobacteriaceae towards AgNPs synthesis strongly suggests that AgNPs synthesis in the presence of Ag+ ions is a phenotypic character that is uniquely associated with genus Morganella.