Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Randia aculeata L. Cell Culture Extracts, Characterization, and Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Activity

The demand for metallic nanoparticles synthesized using green methods has increased due to their various therapeutic and clinical applications, and plant biotechnology may be a potential resource facilitating sustainable methods of AgNPs synthesis. In this study, we evaluate the capacity of extracts from Randia aculeata cell suspension culture (CSC) in the synthesis of AgNPs at different pH values, and their activity against pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells was evaluated. Using aqueous CSC extracts, AgNPs were synthesized with 10% (w/v) of fresh biomass and AgNO3 (1 mM) at a ratio of 1:1 for 24 h of incubation and constant agitation. UV-vis analysis showed a high concentration of AgNPs as the pH increased, and TEM analysis showed polydisperse nanoparticles with sizes from 10 to 90 nm. Moreover, CSC extracts produce reducing agents such as phenolic compounds (162.2 ± 27.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g biomass) and flavonoids (122.07 ± 8.2 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g biomass). Notably, AgNPs had strong activity against E. coli, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. typhimurium, mainly with AgNPs at pH 6 (MIC: 1.6 to 3.9 µg/mL). AgNPs at pH 6 and 10 had a high antiproliferative effect on cancer cells (IC50 < 5.7 µg/mL). Therefore, the use of cell suspension cultures may be a sustainable option for the green synthesis of AgNPs.

Preparation of highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for detection of nitrite in drinking water samples

Nitrite is both an environmental contaminant and a food additive. Excessive intake of nitrites not only causes blood diseases, but also has the potential risk of causing cancer. Therefore, rapid detection of nitrite in water is necessary. In this work, we propose an electrochemical sensor for the sensing of nitrite. Glassy carbon electrodes modified with noble metal nanomaterials have been widely used in the preparation of sensors, but the surface properties of noble metals largely affect the sensing performance. This work proposes the biosynthesis of Au nanoparticles using the pollen extract of Lycoris radiata as a reducing agent. Flavonoids rich in pollen can be used as weak reducing agents for the reduction of chloroauric acid, and slowly synthesize uniformly dispersed Au nanoparticles. These Au nanoparticles do not agglomerate because they contain small biological molecules on the surface and can form a homogeneous sensing interface on the electrode surface. The electrochemical sensor assembled with biosynthesized Au nanoparticles provides linear detection of nitrite between 0.01 and 3.8 mM. The sensor also has excellent immunity to interference. In addition, the proposed sensor was also successfully used for the detection of nitrite in drinking water.

Green-synthesized nanocatalysts and nanomaterials for water treatment: Current challenges and future perspectives

Numerous hazardous environmental pollutants in water bodies, both organic and inorganic, have become a critical global issue. As greener and bio-synthesized versions of nanoparticles exhibit significant promise for wastewater treatment, this review discusses trends and future prospects exploiting the sustainable applications of green-synthesized nanocatalysts and nanomaterials for the removal of contaminants and metal ions from aqueous solutions. Recent trends and challenges about these nanocatalysts and nanomaterials and their potential applications in wastewater treatment and water purification are highlighted including toxicity and biosafety issues. This review delineates the pros and cons and critical issues pertaining to the deployment of these nanomaterials endowed with their superior surface area, mechanical properties, significant chemical reactivity, and cost-effectiveness with low energy consumption, for removal of hazardous materials and contaminants from water; comprehensive coverage of these materials for industrial wastewater remediation, and their recovery is underscored by recent advancements in nanofabrication, encompassing intelligent and smart nanomaterials.

Electrochemical Determination of Nicotine in Tobacco Products Based on Biosynthesized Gold Nanoparticles

In this work, gold nanoparticles were biosynthesized via Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract as the reducing agent. A series of techniques were used for sample analysis. The biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (bAuNPs) are a uniform size with a spherical shape. The FTIR analysis reveals the presence of many oxygen-containing functional groups on the bAuNP surface. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic characterizations reveal that while the bAuNPs have a slightly lower conductivity than chemically synthesized AuNPs (cAuNPs). However, the bAuNPs have a superior electrocatalytic performance toward nicotine reduction. After optimization, the bAuNP-modified SPE could detect nicotine linearly from 10 to 2,000 μM with a low detection limit of 2.33 μM. In addition, the bAuNPs/SPE have been successfully used for nicotine-containing-product analysis.