Optimization of microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticle by Citrus paradisi peel and its application against pathogenic water strain

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on time-dependent microwave-assisted biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous peel extracts of Citrus paradisi as a reducing, stabilizing and capping agent with emphasis on its antibacterial property. Optical, structural and morphological properties of the synthesized Citrus paradisi peel extract silver nanoparticle (CPAgNp) were characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the well- and disc-diffusion methods. Characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength in the range of 420–440 nm at an optimized intensity growth rate typical of silver nanoparticles was obtained. The synthesized CPAgNp are spherical in shape having the size range of 14.84 ± 5 nm and possessing fcc unit phase structure. The Citrus paradisi peel extract mediated AgNp were found to possess a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against water-borne pathogenic microbes.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Biosynthesis
• silver nanoparticle
• Citrus paradisi peel extracts
• antibacterial activity

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to acknowledge financial support from University of Venda, South Africa (RPC grant number: SES/17/ERM/03) and Prof. Gitari DHET Research Incentive funds.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

W. B. Ayinde (PhD) is a member of the Environmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), Department of Ecology and Resources Management at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa. His area of research are in Water Quality Management, Water and waste water treatment, Nanomaterial and nanoparticle synthesis, Environmental Chemistry, and Material Characterization. He is currently working as a Research assistant (USAID PEER Cycle 6 project) on development of functional materials for household water treatment.

W. M. Gitari is a full Professor and Group Leader. Environmental Remediation and Nanoscience (EnviReN), School of Environmental Sciences, Department of Ecology and Resources Management professor of Environmental/Analytical chemistry at School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, South Africa. His research interests are environmental remediation through beneficial and innovative utilization of industrial and mining waste products, development of functional materials for household water treatment and water quality monitoring and management.

Amidou Samie currently works at the Department of Microbiology, University of Venda as an Associate Professor. His primary research interest is infectious diseases from diagnostics to control. He also conduct research on medicinal plants and genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases and more especially to opportunistic infections. Their current project is ‘NIH birth cohort’.

ORCID

W. B. Ayinde http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2930-9728

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Prof. Gitari South Africa DHET Research Incentive funds: [grant number RPC grant Number P118]; University of Venda, South Africa: [grant number RPC grant Number: SES/17/ERM/03].