Abstract
This work used Sedum praealtum leaf extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a single step. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was studied with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the DPPH radical was studied both in the extract of S. praealtum and in the AgNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy determined the presence of AgNPs by the location of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 434 nm. TEM and XRD analyzes show AgNPs with fcc structure and hemispherical morphology. Also, AgNPs range in size from 5 to 25 nm and have an average size of 14 nm. (1)H NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques agreed that glycosidic compounds were the main phytochemical components responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. In addition, AgNPs presented a maximum of 12% toxicity in yeast attributed to the generation of ROS. Consequently, there was low bioactivity because glycoside compounds cover the biosynthesized AgNPs from S. praealtum. These findings allow applications of AgNPs involving contact with mammals and higher organisms.