Xanthan gum mediated monowave synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Characterization, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and catalytic studies

Abstract

Using a monowave approach, stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by xanthan gum as a reducing agent. The combination of XG and AgNPs is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of synthesis. The effects of various parameters, such as time and concentrations of silver nitrate and xanthan gum, on the formation of AgNPs were also studied. The synthesized AgNPs were analyzed using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, X-ray diffractometry, and TEM measurements, revealing the characteristic SPR band for Ag at 420 nm. TEM images indicated that over 70% of the AgNPs were below 10 nm in size. Green-synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells, outperforming Doxorubicin. Antibacterial studies showed that AgNPs possess inhibitory properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antioxidant activity of AgNPs was evaluated using DPPH assay, and IC50 values of 40.2 µg/mL and 43.4 µg/mL were obtained, indicating significant free radical scavenging activity. Finally, the catalytic activity of AgNPs was studied with respect to the reduction of hexacyanoferrate (III) by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. These AgNPs exhibited good catalytic activity, and the kinetics of the reaction were found to be pseudo first order with respect to the hexacyanoferrate (III).

Keywords

• Green synthesis
• Xanthan gum-AgNPs
• MCF-7 cells, antimicrobial activity
• Scavenging activity
• Hexacyanoferrate reduction