Nepenthes pitcher fluid for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with biofilm inhibition, anticancer and antioxidant properties

This is the first report of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis utilizing the pitcher secretion from an insectivorous plant, specifically Nepenthes ventrata, through a microwave assisted green synthesis approach. The successful formation of AgNPs was validated through a comprehensive set of analyses, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, DLS analysis and Zeta potential measurements. In addition gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses were conducted to examine the components present in the pitcher secretion. These analyses aimed to identify the capping and stabilizing agents in the secretion that facilitate the synthesis and stability of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs significantly inhibited biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, as demonstrated by Crystal Violet staining and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, these AgNPs showed promising antioxidant properties through a DPPH radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, the anticancer properties of the AgNPs were analyzed using an MTT assay, which measures cell metabolic activity as an indicator of cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Collectively, these findings suggest that the biosynthesized AgNPs possess multifaceted biological applications, showcasing their utility as both antimicrobial and antioxidative agents, and highlighting their potential in medical and environmental applications.