Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Chenopodium murale leaf extract

Silver is known for its antimicrobial effects and silver nanoparticles are gaining their importance due to their antimicrobial activities. The aims of the current study were to use plant extract for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and to evaluate their antibacterial and antioxidant activity in vitro. The results indicated that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be synthesized in a simple method using Chenopodium murale leaf extract. The TEM analysis showed that the sizes of the synthesized AgNps ranged from 30 to 50 nm. The essential oil of C. murale leaf extract was formed mainly of cc-Terpinene, (2)-Ascaridole and cis-Ascaridole. The total phenolic compounds and total flavonides were higher in AgNPs-containing plant extract compared to the plant extract. AgNPs-containing leaf extract showed a higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activity compared to C. murale leaf extract alone or silver nitrate. It could be concluded that C. murale leaf extract can be used effectively in the production of potential antioxidant and antimicrobial AgNPs for commercial application. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.