Abstract
Driven by the need to biosynthesize alternate biomedical agents to prevent and treat infection, silver nanoparticles have surfaced as a promising avenue. Cyanobacteria-derived nanomaterial synthesis is of substantive interest as it offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and biocompatible route for further development. In the present study optimal conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were 1 : 9 v/v [cell extract: AgNO3 (1 mM)], pH 7.4, and 30 °C reaction temperatures. Synthesis of nanoparticles was monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometry and the maximum absorbance was observed at a wavelength of 420 nm. SEM with EDX analysis confirmed 96.85% silver by weight which revealed the purity of AgNPs. TEM & XRD analysis exhibited a particle size of ∼12 nm with crystalline nature. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of possible biomolecules involved in the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. Decapping of AgNPs followed by SDS-PAGE, LCMS and MALDI TOF analysis elucidates the proteinaceous nature of the capping and stabilizing agent. Cyanobacterial-derived capped AgNPs showed more cytotoxicicity towards a non-small cell lung cancer (A549) cell line, free radical scavenger and an antimicrobial than de-capped AgNPs. In addition they showed significant synergistic characteristics with antibiotics and fungicides. The test revealed that the capped AgNPs were biocompatible with good anti-inflammatory properties. The blend of antimicrobial and biocompatible properties, coupled with their intrinsic "green" and facile synthesis, made these biogenic nanoparticles particularly attractive for future applications in nanomedicine.