Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using sumac fruit by microwave and traditional methods: characterization, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) was carried out with sumac fruit extract using a microwave-assisted (MWA) method and a traditional method (TDM). The properties of nanoparticles synthesized by both methods were characterized and compared.Although both methods are environmentally friendly, the MWA method was faster, more efficient, and economical. When creating Ag-NPs, variables like temperature, pH, reaction duration, extract concentration, and silver ion concentration were considered. The production of Ag-NPs was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectra that displayed the surface plasmon resonance band centered at 433 and 436 nm in the MWA and TDM techniques, respectively. The results of the scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis indicated that the nanoparticles were spherical in structure and that the amount of Ag was significantly higher than that of other elements. According to transmission electron microscopy analysis, particle sizes were 22 nm with the TDM method, while particle sizes were 41.85 nm with the MWA method. However, the MWA method had more uniformly dispersed and homogeneous particle sizes. Conductivity measurements of Ag-NPs solutions were obtained following each cycle of washing. Subsequent to 3 cycles of washing, the conductivity approached that of deionized water, indicating the effective removal of unreacted ions. In our study, a significant increase was detected in the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Ag-NPs. Furthermore, both Ag-NPs inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells and showed a selective anticancer effect against intestinal cancer cells without showing toxicity (all cell viability values >70%) to healthy control L929 fibroblast cells. This study is the first comparative analysis of TDM and MWA methods using sumac for both antimicrobial and anticancer assessment.