Silver nanoparticles produced from Agropyron repens: A green synthesis approach and antimicrobial analysis

The plant Agropyron repens is invasively distributed both in natural grassland areas and in agricultural areas. It contains valuable metabolites such as carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, and minerals. A. repens plant extract has the potential as an alternative source for nanoparticle synthesis. The total phenolic and carbohydrate contents of the aqueous extract were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized at room temperature using the aqueous extract of A. repens without any chemical stabilizer or reducing agent. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by the observed color change. UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used for characterization. An absorption was obtained in the UV-Vis spectrum. In DLS measurements, the size of AgNPs was determined to be approximately 75 nm. The obtained AgNPs and fabrics treated with these nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. AgNPs and fabric samples exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. In addition, the antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts and AgNPs were evaluated. This study highlights that A. repens can be used in the production of AgNPs by green synthesis methods.