GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING CURCUMA LONGA PLANT EXTRACT AND THEIR POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS

Sabina Neculai-Văleanu, Adina-Mirela Ariton, A.C. Matei, Bianca-Maria Mădescu, Mădălina-Alexandra Davidescu, Ioana Poroșnicu, Şt. Creangă

Abstract
    Due to their wide spectrum antibacterial activity against distinct microorganisms and different mechanisms of action that may reduce the growth of resistant bacteria, silver nanoparticles may be a promising solution for the control and treatment of bacterial infections in livestock. Nanoparticle synthesis from plant extracts is tentatively offering a path for large-scale production of commercially appealing nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNP). The green synthesis of AgNPs was performed by mixing curcuma extract with AgNO₃ solution (1 mM) in a 1:9 proportion and adjusting the pH to 10, using NaOH 0.1N solution. The solution was kept under dark conditions at room temperature. The color of the curcuma extract varied from bright yellow to pale yellow when the AgNO₃ was added and finally changed to dark red-brown after 24 hours, indicating complete reduction of silver ions to AgNPs. The ability of green synthesized AgNPs to scavenge hydrogen peroxide was evaluated using UV-Vis analysis, by incubating the curcuma-AgNP with hydrogen peroxide. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Curcuma longa extract was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of AgNPs covered a wide range between 330-500 nm with a prominent peak at 428 nm, indicating the formation of AgNPs because this value is consistent with the range of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for AgNPs. Additionally, the spectroscopic analysis showed that the curcuma AgNP extract (500 μg/ml) has moderate hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Curcuma longa is a promising nanotechnological strategy that may enable the development of alternative antimicrobial agents by exploiting the antibacterial activity of Curcuma longa extracts and silver ions against enteropathogenic pathogens, in livestock and veterinary medicine sectors.