Synthesis of Silver-zinc Oxide Nanocomposites From Cellulose of Barhi Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Seeds and Assessing their Phytochemicals, Antibacterial Activity, and Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Nanoparticles and nanocomposites in low concentrations can be a suitable alternative to antibiotics. In this study, for the first time, silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites were synthesized from the cellulose of Barhi date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds. Methods: In this study, the chemical compounds of Berhi date palm seed extract (such as phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) were first assessed, and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites were synthesized. The properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were evaluated using different spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The antibacterial activity of the extract and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites was investigated against standard strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxicity of the extract and nanocomposites against breast cancer cells MCF-7 and normal cells MCF-10A were finally evaluated. Results: In the extract, there were high concentrations of flavonoids and phenols. Based on scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the size of synthesized nanocomposites was 20±5 nm with a spherical shape. The diameter of the inhibition zones was 21.3±0.5 mm and 19.4±0.7 mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, respectively. According to the MTT assay results, the nanocomposites were more cytotoxic to MCF-7 breast cancer cells than normal cells MCF-10A. Conclusion: The synthesized zinc oxide-silver nanocomposites have antibacterial and anticancer properties with fewer side effects and significant efficacy, which can be used as a potential therapy in the future.

Keywords

• pho d 2 protein
• date palm
• phoenix dactylifera l.
• cellulose
• silver
• zinc oxide
• nanocomposites
• anti-bacterial agents
• cytotoxicity