Preparation and characterization of biocompatible silver nanoparticles using pomegranate peel extract

Publication date: Available online 10 January 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Majid Nasiriboroumand, Majid Montazer, Hossein Barani
The potential application of any nanoparticles, including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), strongly depends on their stability against aggregation. In the current study, an aqueous extract of pomegranate peel was used as a stabilizer during synthesis of AgNPs. Nanoparticles have been prepared by the chemical reduction method from an aqueous solution of silver nitrate in the presence of sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. The AgNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta-potential measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial efficiency of AgNPs against Escherichia coli was investigated. The size, polydispersity index, FWHM, and colloidal stability of nanoparticles in dispersion depends on the extract concentrations. In the presence of pomegranate peel extract, the nanoparticles suspension shows colloidal stability at least for a week. Our studies show that AgNPs synthesized with the above described procedure were stable at pH = 3–12 and in the temperature range of 25–85 °C. Additionally, AgNPs exhibit antibacterial properties, especially at the lowest amount of extract to silver ratio (KExtract/Ag).