Journal of Advanced Research (2015) xxx, xxx–xxx

Cairo University

Journal of Advanced Research

REVIEW

A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of

silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications:
A green expertise
Shakeel Ahmed, Mudasir Ahmad, Babu Lal Swami, Saiqa Ikram *

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India

G R A P H I C A L A B S T R A C T

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: Metallic nanoparticles are being utilized in every phase of science along with engineering
Received 17 October 2014 including medical fields and are still charming the scientists to explore new dimensions for their
Received in revised form 25 February respective worth which is generally attributed to their corresponding small sizes. The up-and-
2015 coming researches have proven their antimicrobial significance. Among several noble metal

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 11 26981717x3255.

E-mail addresses: [email protected] (S. Ahmed), sikram@
jmi.ac.in (S. Ikram).
Peer review under responsibility of Cairo University.

Production and hosting by Elsevier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
2090-1232 ª 2015 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Cairo University.

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
2 S. Ahmed et al.

Accepted 27 February 2015 nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have attained a special focus. Conventionally silver nanopar-
Available online xxxx ticles are synthesized by chemical method using chemicals as reducing agents which later on
become accountable for various biological risks due to their general toxicity; engendering the
Keywords: serious concern to develop environment friendly processes. Thus, to solve the objective; biologi-
Silver nanoparticles cal approaches are coming up to fill the void; for instance green syntheses using biological mole-
Plant extract cules derived from plant sources in the form of extracts exhibiting superiority over chemical
Green synthesis and/or biological methods. These plant based biological molecules undergo highly controlled
Antimicrobial assembly for making them suitable for the metal nanoparticle syntheses. The present review
explores the huge plant diversity to be utilized towards rapid and single step protocol prepara-
tory method with green principles over the conventional ones and describes the antimicrobial
activities of silver nanoparticles.
ª 2015 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Cairo University.

Shakeel Ahmed was born and raised in a small Saiqa Ikram was born in 1973. She got her
village Dhangri-Doba, in the Rajouri District Master’s degree from one of the most presti-
of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He obtained gious college from one of the oldest university;
his B.Sc. from Govt. P.G. College, Rajouri, Meerut University which has a glorious past
University of Jammu, Jammu and later M.Sc. in the freedom fighting movement of India.
in Materials Chemistry from Jamia Millia She completed her Ph.D. from University of
Islamia, New Delhi, India. He was awarded Delhi, Delhi in 2000 in the area of polymer
with Junior Research Fellowship by UGC, technology. During her Ph.D. she was awar-
New Delhi. Since September 2013, he is cur- ded with Junior and Senior Research
rently pursuing his Ph.D. at the Jamia Millia Fellowship/s from University Grants
Islamia (a central university), New Delhi with Commission and Council of Scientific &
group of Dr. Saiqa Ikram, where he is working on synthesis of Industrial Research; the two most prestigious government funding
biopolymer blended films for antimicrobial food packaging. His area organization in country. Later she joined as a Research Associate
of interest is polymer nanocomposites, green-technology, biocompos- (again sponsored by CSIR, India) in Indian Institute of Technology,
ites, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and biodegradable food Delhi India. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor in
packaging. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia
Islamia, (A Central University by an Act of Parliament) since
February 2006. She has more than 20 peer reviewed research articles
Mudasir Ahmad was born in 1988 in and a co-inventor in a patent. Her research area of interest is in
Dadasara-Tral Kashmir, India. Decade after biopolymers, green chemistry, biocomposites and green synthesis of
matriculation from MPHS, he received his nanoparticles.
M.Sc chemistry and now pursuing his
Doctorate in Chemistry from Jamia Millia
Islamia (a central University), New Delhi. Introduction
Nowadays, his current interest is focused in
the development of new reactions and new Nanotechnology is an important field of modern research deal-
methodologies for the synthesis of green ing with synthesis, strategy and manipulation of particle’s
adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals
structure ranging from approximately 1 to 100 nm in size.
from waste water, metal complexes and
Within this size range all the properties (chemical, physical
nanoparticles.
and biological) changes in fundamental ways of both individ-
ual atoms/molecules and their corresponding bulk. Novel
applications of nanoparticles and nanomaterials are growing
Babu Lal Swami was born in Jaipur, India. He rapidly on various fronts due to their completely new or
has completed his B.Sc. in 2002 and subse- enhanced properties based on size, their distribution and mor-
quently received his M.Sc. in 2008 from phology. It is swiftly gaining renovation in a large number of
University of Rajasthan, India. He has been
fields such as health care, cosmetics, biomedical, food and
awarded as a Junior Research Fellow from
University Grant Commission, India, and is
feed, drug-gene delivery, environment, health, mechanics,
presently working for his Ph.D. on Schiff base optics, chemical industries, electronics, space industries, energy
Ion selective electrodes at Jamia Millia science, catalysis, light emitters, single electron transistors,
Islamia (a central university), New Delhi, nonlinear optical devices and photo-electrochemical applica-
India. His area of interest is in green chemistry tions. Tremendous growth in these expanding technologies
and ion selective electrodes. had opened applied frontiers and novel fundamentals. This

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
Plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles 3

Fig. 1 Different approaches of synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Fig. 2 Protocols employed for synthesis of nanoparticles (a) bottom to top approach and (b) top to bottom approach.

Fig. 3 Protocol for synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extract.

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
4 S. Ahmed et al.

includes the production of nanoscale materials afterwards in or plant biomass for the production of nanoparticles could be
investigation or utilization of their mysterious physicochemical an alternative to chemical and physical methods in an eco-
and optoelectronic properties [1–3]. friendly manner [12].
The nanoparticles used for all the aforesaid purposes, the In case of top to bottom approach; nanoparticles are gener-
metallic nanoparticles considered as the most promising as ally synthesized by evaporation–condensation using a tube fur-
they contain remarkable antibacterial properties due to their nace at atmospheric pressure. In this method the foundation
large surface area to volume ratio, which is of interest for material; within a boat; place centred at the furnace is vapor-
researchers due to the growing microbial resistance against ized into a carrier gas. Ag, Au, PbS and fullerene nanoparticles
metal ions, antibiotics and the development of resistant strains have previously been produced using the evaporation/con-
[2]. Among the all noble metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparti- densation technique. The generation of silver nanoparticles
cle are an arch product from the field of nanotechnology which using a tube furnace has numerous drawbacks as it occupies
has gained boundless interests because of their unique proper- a large space and munches a great deal of energy while raising
ties such as chemical stability, good conductivity, catalytic and the environmental temperature around the source material,
most important antibacterial, anti-viral, antifungal in addition and it also entails a lot of time to succeed thermal stability
to anti-inflammatory activities which can be incorporated into [13–17]. In addition; a typical tube furnace requires power
composite fibres, cryogenic superconducting materials, cos- using up of more than several kilowatts and a pre-heating time
metic products, food industry and electronic components. of several tens of minutes to attain a stable operating tempera-
[4,5]. For biomedical applications; being added to wound ture. One of the biggest limitations in this method is the imper-
dressings, topical creams, antiseptic sprays and fabrics, silver fections in the surface structure of the product and the other
functions’ as an antiseptic and displays a broad biocidal effect physical properties of nanoparticles are highly dependent on
against microorganisms through the disruption of their uni- the surface structure in reference to surface chemistry.
cellular membrane thus disturbing their enzymatic activities. In general, whatever the method is followed, it is generally
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles is of much interest to the concluded that the chemical methods have certain limitations
scientific community because of their wide range of applica- with them either in the form of chemical contaminations during
tions. These silver nanoparticles are being successfully used their syntheses procedures or in later applications. Yet; one
in the cancer diagnosis and treatment as well [6,7]. cannot deny their ever growing applications in daily life. For
Generally, nanoparticles are prepared by a variety of chemical instances; ‘‘The Noble Silver Nanoparticles’’ are striving
and physical methods which are quite expensive and poten- towards the edge-level utilities in every aspect of science and
tially hazardous to the environment which involve use of toxic technology including the medical fields; thus cannot be
and perilous chemicals that are responsible for various biologi- neglected just because of their source of generation. Due to
cal risks. The development of biologically-inspired experimen- their medicinal and antimicrobial properties, silver nanoparti-
tal processes for the syntheses of nanoparticles is evolving into cles have been incorporated into more than 200 consumer prod-
an important branch of nanotechnology. Generally there are ucts, including clothing, medicines and cosmetics. Their
two approaches which are involved in the syntheses of silver expanding applications are putting together chemists, physicist,
nanoparticles, either from ‘‘top to bottom’’ approach or a material scientist, biologists and the doctors/pharmacologists
‘‘bottom to up’’ approach (Fig. 1). In bottom to top approach, to continue their latest establishments. Hence, it is becoming
nanoparticles can be synthesized using chemical and biological a responsibility of every researcher to emphasize on an alter-
methods by self-assemble of atoms to new nuclei which grow nate as the synthetic route which is not only cost effective but
into a particle of nanoscale as shown in Fig. 2.a while in top should be environment friendly in parallel. Keeping in view
to bottom approach, suitable bulk material break down into of the aesthetic sense, the green synthesis is rendering itself as
fine particles by size reduction with various lithographic tech- a key procedure and proving its potential at the top.
niques e.g. grinding, milling, sputtering and thermal/laser abla- The advancement of green syntheses over chemical and
tion. (Figs. 1 and 2b). physical methods is: environment friendly, cost effective and
In bottom to top approach, chemical reduction is the most easily scaled up for large scale syntheses of nanoparticles, fur-
common scheme for syntheses of silver nanoparticles [8,9]. thermore there is no need to use high temperature, pressure,
Different organic and inorganic reducing agents, such as energy and toxic chemicals [18]. A lot of literature has been
sodium borohydride (NaBH4), sodium citrate, ascorbate, ele- reported to till date on biological syntheses of silver nanopar-
mental hydrogen, Tollen’s reagent, N,N-dimethyl formamide ticles using microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and
(DMF) and poly (ethylene glycol) block copolymers are used plants; because of their antioxidant or reducing properties
for reduction of silver ions (Ag+) in aqueous or non-aqueous typically responsible for the reduction of metal compounds
solutions [10,11]. Capping agents are also used for size in their respective nanoparticles. Although; among the various
stabilization of the nanoparticles. One of the biggest advan- biological methods of silver nanoparticle synthesis, microbe
tages of this method is that a large quantity of nanoparticles mediated synthesis is not of industrial feasibility due to the
can be synthesized in a short span of time. During this type requirements of highly aseptic conditions and their mainte-
of syntheses; chemicals used are toxic and led to non-eco- nance. Therefore; the use of plant extracts for this purpose is
friendly by-products. This may be the reason which leads to potentially advantageous over microorganisms due to the ease
the biosyntheses of nanoparticles via green route that does of improvement, the less biohazard and elaborate process of
not employ toxic chemicals and hence proving to become a maintaining cell cultures [19]. It is the best platform for synthe-
growing wanton want to develop environment friendly pro- ses of nanoparticles; being free from toxic chemicals as well as
cesses. Thus, the advancement of green syntheses of nanopar- providing natural capping agents for the stabilization of silver
ticles is progressing as a key branch of nanotechnology; where nanoparticles. Moreover, use of plant extracts also reduces the
the use of biological entities like microorganisms, plant extract cost of micro-organisms isolation and their culture media

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
Plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles 5

Table 1 Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by different researchers using plant extracts.
Plants Size (nm) Plant’s part Shape References
Alternanthera dentate 50–100 Leaves Spherical [23]
Acorus calamus 31.83 Rhizome Spherical [24]
Boerhaavia diffusa 25 Whole plant Spherical [25]
Tea extract 20–90 Leaves Spherical [26]
Tribulus terrestris 16–28 Fruit Spherical [28]
Cocous nucifera 22 Inflorescence Spherical [37]
Abutilon indicum 7–17 Leaves Spherical [30]
Pistacia atlantica 10–50 Seeds Spherical [38]
Ziziphora tenuior 8–40 Leaves Spherical [31]
Ficus carica 13 Leaves – [32]
Cymbopogan citratus 32 Leaves – [39]
Acalypha indica 0.5 Leaves – [40]
Premna herbacea 10–30 Leaves Spherical [41]
Calotropis procera 19–45 Plant Spherical [42]
Centella asiatica 30–50 Leaves Spherical [43]
Argyreia nervosa 20–50 Seeds – [44]
Psoralea corylifolia 100–110 Seeds – [45]
Brassica rapa 16.4 Leaves – [46]
Coccinia indica 10–20 Leaves – [47]
Vitex negundo 5 & 10–30 Leaves Spherical & fcc [48]
Melia dubia 35 Leaves Spherical [49]
Portulaca oleracea <60 Leaves – [50]
Thevetia peruviana 10–30 Latex Spherical [51]
Pogostemon benghalensis >80 Leaves – [52]
Trachyspermum ammi 87, 99.8 Seeds [53]
Swietenia mahogani 50 Leaves [54]
Musa paradisiacal 20 Peel [55]
Moringa oleifera 57 Leaves [56]
Garcinia mangostana 35 Leaves [57]
Eclipta prostrate 35–60 Leaves Triangles, pentagons, hexagons [58]
Nelumbo nucifera 25–80 Leaves Spherical, triangular [59]
Acalypha indica 20–30 Leaves Spherical [60]
Allium sativum 4–22 Leaves Spherical [61]
Aloe vera 50–350 Leaves Spherical, triangular [62]
Citrus sinensis 10–35 Peel Spherical [63]
Eucalyptus hybrid 50–150 Peel [64]
Memecylon edule 20–50 Leaves Triangular, circular, hexagonal [65]
Nelumbo nucifera 25–80 Leaves Spherical, triangular [66]
Datura metel 16–40 Leaves Quasilinear superstructures [67]
Carica papaya 25–50 Leaves [68]
Vitis vinifera 30–40 Fruit [69]

which enhance the cost competitive feasibility over nanoparti- benign, yet chemically complex structures [20]. A large num-
cles synthesis by microorganisms. Hence, a review is compiled ber of plants are reported to facilitate silver nanoparticles
describing the bio-inspired syntheses of silver nanoparticles syntheses are mentioned (Table 1) and are discussed briefly
that provide advancement over physical and chemical methods in the presented review. The protocol for the nanoparticle
which are eco-friendly, cost effective and more effective in a syntheses involves: the collection of the part of plant of inter-
variety of applications especially in bactericidal activities. est from the available sites was done and then it was washed
thoroughly twice/thrice with tap water to remove both epi-
phytes and necrotic plants; followed with sterile distilled
Green syntheses of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts water to remove associated debris if any. These; clean and
fresh sources are shade-dried for 10–15 days and then pow-
The use of plants as the production assembly of silver nano- dered using domestic blender. For the plant broth prepara-
particles has drawn attention, because of its rapid, eco- tion, around 10 g of the dried powder is boiled with
friendly, non-pathogenic, economical protocol and providing 100 mL of deionized distilled water (hot percolation method).
a single step technique for the biosynthetic processes. The The resulting infusion is then filtered thoroughly until no
reduction and stabilization of silver ions by combination of insoluble material appeared in the broth. To 10 3 M
biomolecules such as proteins, amino acids, enzymes, AgNO3 solution, on addition of few mL of plant extract
polysaccharides, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, ter- follow the reduction of pure Ag(I) ions to Ag(0) which can
pinoids and vitamins which are already established in the be monitored by measuring the UV–visible spectra of the
plant extracts having medicinal values and are environmental solution at regular intervals [21].

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
6 S. Ahmed et al.

A vast segment of flora had been utilized for the preparation distributed having size from 8 to 40 nm, functionalized with
of silver nanoparticles. Different plants and their respective biomolecules that have primary amine group, carbonyl group,
portions have been exploited for the same as well. The green hydroxyl groups and other stabilizing functional groups as
rapid syntheses of spherical shaped silver nanoparticles with shown by FTIR spectroscopic technique [30].
dimensions of 50–100 nm were observed using Alternanthera In a recent report, these nanoparticles have been synthe-
dentate aqueous extract. The reduction of silver ions to silver sized on irradiation using an aqueous mixture of Ficuscarica
nanoparticles by this extract was completed within 10 min. leaf extract [31]. The silver nanoparticles were formed after
The extracellular silver nanoparticles syntheses by aqueous leaf three hour of incubation at 37 C using aqueous solution of
extract validate quick, simple, economical process comparable 5 mM silver nitrate. Cymbopogan citratus (DC) stapf (com-
to chemical and microbial methods. These silver nanoparticles monly known as lemon grass) a native aromatic herb from
exhibit antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, India and also cultivated in other tropical and subtropical
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterococcus faecal countries showed strong antibacterial effect against P. aerugi-
[22]. Acorus calamus was also used for the synthesis of silver nosa, P. mirabilis, E. coli, Shigella flexaneri, S. Somenei and
nanoparticles to evaluate its antioxidant, antibacterial as well Klebsiella pneumonia [32].
as anticancer effects [23]. Boerhaavia diffusa plant extract was Silver nanoparticles were rapidly synthesized by Krishnaraj
used as a reducing agent for green synthesis of silver nanopar- et al. using leaf extract of Acalypha indica and the formation of
ticles. XRD and TEM analysis revealed an average particle size nanoparticles was observed within 30 min [33]. Formation of
of 25 nm of silver nanoparticles having face-centred cubic(fcc) stable silver nanoparticles at different concentration of
structure with spherical shape. These nanoparticles were tested AgNO3 gives mostly spherical particles with diameter ranging
for antibacterial activity against three fish bacterial pathogens, from 15 to 50 nm. In the pursuit of making the nanoscale-re-
viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila and search greener, the utilization of the reductive potency of a
Flavobacterium branchiophilum and demonstrated highest common by-product of food processing industry i.e. orange
sensitivity towards F. Branchiophilumin in comparison with peel (Citrussinensis) has been reported to prepare polymer
other two bacteria [24]. bio-mimetic template ‘‘green’’ silver nanoparticles. TEM imag-
The relatively high levels of the steroids, sapogenins, ing showed well dispersed spherical articles of 3–12 nm size. It
carbohydrates and flavonoids act as reducing agents and was also interesting to note that the highest fraction of parti-
phyto-constituents as the capping agents which provide stabil- cles had a diameter of 6 nm [34]. A facile and rapid biosynthe-
ity to silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles found sis of silver nanoparticles was reported by Dwivedi et al. from
to be of average size around 7–17 nm and are of spherical an obnoxious weed Chenopodium album. The leaf extract was
shaped. These nanoparticles were found to have a crystalline prepared and successfully used for the synthesis of silver nano-
structure with face cantered cubic geometry as studied by particles and gold nanoparticles having the size in range of 10–
XRD method. By using tea as a capping agent, 20–90 nm silver 30 nm. The spherical nanoparticles were observed at higher
nanoparticles were synthesized with crystalline structure. leaf extract concentration, as infer from the TEM imaging [35].
Reaction temperature and the dosage of the tea extract showed Silver nanoparticles were synthesized on reduction of silver
an effect on the production efficiency and formation rate of nitrate solution by aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves
nanoparticles [25]. The size of spherical shaped silver nanopar- by Prathna et al. and the growth kinetics of silver nanoparti-
ticles is ranging from 5 to 20 nm, as evident by TEM. With cles was investigated having size of 10–35 nm. Colloidal silver
increasing intensity of extract during the period of incubation, nanoparticles were synthesized by an easy green method using
silver nanoparticles showed gradual change in colour of the thermal treatment of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and
extracts to yellowish brown with callus extract of the salt natural rubber latex extracted from Hevea brasilensis. The sil-
marsh plant, Sesuvium portulacastrum L. [26]. The dried fruit ver nanoparticles presented diameter ranging from 2 nm to
body extract of the plant, Tribulus terrestris L. was mixed with 10 nm and had spherical shape with face centred cubic (fcc)
silver nitrate in order to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The crystalline structure [36].
spherical shaped silver nanoparticles having size in range of
16–28 nm were achieved using this extract with antibacterial
property observed by Kirby-Bauer method against multi-drug Applications of silver nanoparticles
resistant bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogens, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Due to their anti-bacterial properties, silver nanoparticles have
Staphylococcus aureus [27]. A silver nanoparticle of size been used most widely in the health industry, food storage, tex-
22 nm was synthesized using extracts of the tree Cocous nuci- tile coatings and a number of environmental applications. In
fera in ethyl acetate and methanol (in ratio of EA:M40:60). spite of decades of its use, it is important to note that the evi-
It showed significant antimicrobial activity against human dences of toxicity of silver are still not clear. Products prepared
bacterial pathogens, viz. Salmonella paratyphi, Klebsiella with silver nanoparticles have been approved by a range of
pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [28]. accredited bodies including the US FDA, US EPA, Korea’s
A stable and spherical shaped silver nanoparticle was syn- Testing, SIAA of Japan and Research Institute for Chemical
thesized using extract of Abutilon indicum. These nanoparticles Industry and FITI Testing and Research Institute [34]. The
show high antimicrobial activities against S. typhi, E. coli, S. antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles have also been
aureus and B. substilus microorganisms [29]. Ziziphoratenuior exploited both in the medicine and at home. Silver sulfadiazine
leaves were also used to prepare the silver nanoparticles and creams use sometimes to prevent infection at the burn site and
different techniques were employed to characterize these nano- at least one appliance company has incorporated silver into
particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis their washing machines. Currently silver is used in the expand-
showed that these nanoparticles were spherical and uniformly ing field of nanotechnology and appears in many consumer

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
Plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles 7

products that include baby pacifiers, acne creams, and com- properties in vitro antioxidant assays [75]. The toxicity of
puter’s keyboard, clothing (e.g. socks and athletic wear) that starch-coated silver nanoparticles was studied using normal
protects from emitting body odour in addition to deodorizing human lung fibroblast cells (IMR-90) and human glioblastoma
sprays. cells (U251). The toxicity was evaluated using changes in cell
It is a well-known fact that silver nanoparticles and their morphology, cell viability, metabolic activity, and oxidative
composites show greater catalytic activities in the area of dye stress. These nanoparticles produced ATP content of the cell
reduction and their removal. Kundu et al. studied the reduc- causing damage to mitochondria and increased production
tion of methylene blue by arsine in the presence of silver nano- of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner.
particle [70]. Mallick et al. studied the catalytic activity of these DNA damage, as measured by single cell gel electrophoresis
nanoparticles on the reduction of phenosafranine dye [71]. In (SCGE) and cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay
this study, the application of silver nanoparticles as an antimi- (CBMN), was also dose-dependent and more prominent in
crobial agent was also investigated by growing E. coli on agar the cancer cells [76]. The high frequency electrical behaviour
plates and in liquid LB medium, both supplemented with silver of nanosilver based conductors is up to 220 GHz. [77]. Silver
nanoparticles [72]. Single silver nanoparticles were applied to nanoparticles have proven to exert antiviral activity against
investigate membrane transport in living microbial cells (P. HIV-1 at non-cyto-toxic concentrations, but the mechanism
aeruginosa) in real times [73]. The triangular silver nanoparti- underlying their HIV-inhibitory activity has been not fully elu-
cles fabricated by nanosphere lithography indeed function as cidated. These silver nanoparticles were evaluated to elucidate
sensitive and selective nanoscale affinity biosensors. These their mode of antiviral action against HIV-1 using a panel of
nanosensors retain all of the other desirable features of different in vitro assays [78]. Special interest has been directed
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) spectroscopy which is the at providing enhanced bio-molecular diagnostics, including
fundamental principle behind many colour based biosensor SNP detection gene expression profiles and biomarker
applications and by changing nanoparticles size and shape, characterization. These strategies have been focused on the
these nanosensors possess at least two unique characteristics: development of nanoscale devices and platforms that can be
(i) modest refractive sensitivity and (ii) a short-range, sensing used for single molecule characterization of nucleic acid,
length scale determined by the characteristic decay length of DNA or RNA, and protein at an increased rate when com-
the local electromagnetic field. These two factors combine to pared to traditional techniques [79].
yield an area of mass sensitivity of 100–1000 pg/mm2, which
is only a factor of 100 poorer than the best propagating SPR
sensitivities [74]. Antimicrobial property of silver nanoparticles and its mechanism
Silver nanoparticles synthesized through green method
have been reported to have biomedical applications as well Silver metal has been used widely across the civilizations for
as in controlling the pathogenic microbes. In a study, silver different purposes. Many societies use silver as jewellery, orna-
nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous Piper longum mentation and fine cutlery. Silver as jewellery, wares and cut-
fruit extract. The aqueous P. longum fruit extract and the green lery was considered to impart health benefits to the users.
synthesized silver nanoparticles showed powerful antioxidant Silver has a long history of anti-microbial use to discourage

Table 2 Antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts.

Biological entity Test microorganisms Method References
Alternanthera dentate Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, [23]
Klebsiella pneumonia and, Enterococcus
faecalis
Boerhaavia diffusa Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas [15]
fluorescens and Flavobacterium branchiophilum
Tea E. coli [26]
Tribulus terrestris Streptococcus pyogens, Pseudomonas Kirby-Bauer [28]
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis
and Staphylococcus aureus
Cocous nucifera Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, [38]
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella
paratyphi
Aloe vera E. coli Standard plate count [91]
Solanus torvum P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, A. flavus and Disc diffusion [92]
Aspergillus niger
Trianthema decandra E. coli and P. aeruginosa Disc diffusion [93]
Argimone mexicana Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Disc diffusion for bacteria and [94]
Aspergillus flavus food poisoning for fungi
Abutilon indicum S. typhi, E. coli, S. aureus and B. substilus [30]
Cymbopogan citratus P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, E. coli, Shigella Disc diffusion [40]
flexaneri, S. somenei and Klebsiella pneumonia
Svensonia hyderabadensis A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia Disc diffusion [95]
lunata and Rhizopus arrhizus

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
8 S. Ahmed et al.

contamination of microbes dating back to the Phoenicians Nanoparticles modulated phosphotyrosine profile of bacterial
who used silver as a natural biocide to coat milk bottles. peptide that in turn affects signal transduction and inhibited
Silver is a well-known antimicrobial agent against a wide range growth of micro-organisms. Antibacterial effect is dose-depen-
of over 650 microorganisms from different classes such as dent and is independent of acquisition of resistance by bacteria
gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi or viruses. against antibiotics. E. coli cells treated with silver nanoparti-
More recently the metal is finding use in the form of silver cles found to be accumulated in the bacterial membrane which
nanoparticles. In ancient Indian medical system (called results in the increase in permeability and death of cell.
Ayurveda), silver has been described as therapeutic agent for Gram-positive bacteria are less susceptible to Ag+ than
many diseases. In 1884, during childbirth it became a common gram-negative bacteria. This is due to; the gram positive bac-
practice to administer drops of aqueous silver nitrate to new- terial cell wall made up of peptidoglycan molecules and has
born’s eyes to prevent the transmission of Neisseria gonor- more peptidoglycan than gram-negative bacteria. As cell wall
rhoea from infected mothers. Out of all the metals with antimi- of gram positive is thicker, as peptidoglycan is negatively
crobial properties, it was found that silver has the most charged and silver ions are positively charged; more silver
effective antibacterial action and is least toxic to animal cells. may get stuck by peptidoglycan in gram-positive bacteria than
Silver became commonly used in medical treatments, such as in gram-negative bacteria. The decreased liability of gram-
those of wounded soldiers in World War I, to deter microbial positive bacteria can also simply be explained by the fact that
growth [80]. The medical properties of silver have been known the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria is thicker than that of
for over 2000 years [81]. Silver is generally used in the nitrate gram-negative bacteria [80]. Other mechanisms involving inter-
form to induce antimicrobial effect but when silver nanoparti- action of silver molecules with biological macromolecules such
cles are used, there is a huge increase in the surface area avail- as enzymes and DNA through an electron-release mechanism
able for the microbes to be exposed to. Silver nanoparticles [88] or free radical production [80] have been proposed. The
synthesized using plant extracts (from different sources) have inhibition of cell wall synthesis as well as protein synthesis
been used for analysing their antimicrobial activities against shown to be induced by silver nanoparticles has been suggested
different microbes (Table 2). by some literatures with the proteomic data having evidence of
The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles depend accumulation of envelope protein precursor or destabilization
on: of outer membrane, which finally leads to ATP leaking [89].
Nanosilver is a much effective and a fast-acting fungicide
1. Size and environmental conditions (size, pH, ionic against a broad spectrum of common fungi including genera
strength). such as Aspergillus, Candida and Saccharomyces [90].
2. Capping agent. The multi-resistant pathogens due to antigenic shifts and/or
drifts are ineffectively managed with current medications. This
The exact mechanisms of antimicrobial or toxicity activities resistance to medication by pathogens has become a stern
by silver nanoparticles are still in investigation and a well problem in public health; therefore, there is a strong require-
debated topic. The positive charge on the Ag ions is suggested ment to develop new bactericides and virucides. Silver is hav-
vital for antimicrobial activities. In order for silver to have any ing a long history of use as an antiseptic and disinfectant
antimicrobial properties, it must be in its ionized form. In its and is able to interact with disulphide bonds of the glycopro-
ionized form, silver is inert but on coming in contact with tein/protein contents of microorganisms such as viruses, bac-
moisture it releases silver ions [83]. Ag+ ions are able to form teria and fungi. Both silver nanoparticles and silver ions can
complexes with nucleic acids and preferentially interact with change the three dimensional structure of proteins by interfer-
the nucleosides rather than with the phosphate groups of ing with disulphide bonds and block the functional operations
nucleic acids. Thus, all forms of silver or silver containing com- of the microorganism [30,96,97]. Advancement of this route
pounds with observed antimicrobial properties are in one way (green synthesis) over chemical and physical method is that
or another sources of silver ions (Ag+); these silver ions may it is cost effective, environment friendly, easily scaled up for
be incorporated into the substance and released slowly with large scale synthesis and there is no need to use high energy,
time as with silver sulfadiazine, or the silver ions can come pressure, temperature and toxic chemicals [15,91–100]. The
from ionizing the surface of a solid piece of silver as with silver use of environmentally benign materials like bacteria, fungi,
nanoparticles [86,87]. There is some literature showing the plant extracts and enzymes for the syntheses of silver nanopar-
electrostatic attraction between positively charged nanoparti- ticles offers numerous benefits of eco-friendly and compatibil-
cles and negatively charged bacterial cells [82] and they are ity for pharmaceutical and other biomedical applications as
suggested to be most suitable bactericidal agent [84,85]. they do not use toxic chemicals for the synthesis protocol.
These nanoparticles have been shown to accumulate inside These disadvantages insisted the use of novel and well refined
the membrane and can subsequently penetrate into the cells methods that opened doors to explore benign and green routes
causing damage to cell wall or cell membranes. It is thought for synthesizing nanoparticles (see Fig. 3).
that silver atoms bind to thiol groups (ASH) of enzymes form-
ing stable SAAg bonds with thiol containing compounds and
then it causes the deactivation of enzymes in the cell membrane Conclusions
that involve in trans membrane energy generation and ion
transport. It was proposed that Ag(I) ion enters the cell and Nature has elegant and ingenious ways of creating the most
intercalates between the purine and pyrimidine base pairs dis- efficient miniaturized functional materials. An increasing
rupting the hydrogen bonding between the two anti-parallel awareness towards green chemistry and use of green route
strands and denaturing the DNA molecule. Bacterial cell lysis for synthesis of metal nanoparticles lead a desire to develop
could be one of reason for its antibacterial property. environment-friendly techniques. Benefit of synthesis of silver

Please cite this article in press as: Ahmed S et al., A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green exper-
tise, J Adv Res (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.02.007
Plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles 9

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