Green Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Using Crataegus Oxyacantha Extract and their Urease Inhibitory Activities

In recent years, the field of nanotechnology has garnered significant attention due to its potential applications in various industries, including medicine, electronics, and cosmetics. Nanoparticles, which are particles with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, have unique properties that make them highly desirable for these applications. However, the traditional methods of synthesizing nanoparticles often involve the use of toxic chemicals and are not environmentally friendly.

In light of these concerns, researchers have been exploring alternative methods to synthesize nanoparticles in a more sustainable manner. One such method is known as green synthesis, which involves the use of natural extracts or biomolecules to reduce metal ions and form nanoparticles. Green synthesis offers numerous advantages, including low cost, non-toxicity, and eco-friendliness.

What is the process of green synthesis of nanoparticles using Crataegus Oxyacantha extract?

A research article titled “Green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using Crataegus oxyacantha extract and their urease inhibitory activities” by Ali et al. (2021), published in the journal Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, presents a study on the green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using an extract derived from the Crataegus oxyacantha plant.

To initiate the green synthesis process, the researchers extracted phytochemicals from the Crataegus oxyacantha plant. These phytochemicals, which are natural compounds found in plants, act as reducing agents and stabilizers for the synthesis of nanoparticles. They serve to convert metal ions into their respective metallic forms and prevent the aggregation of nanoparticles, ensuring their stability.

The extracted phytochemicals were then mixed with silver and gold ions, and the reduction process took place under specific conditions. The resulting Ag and Au nanoparticles were spherical in shape, with an average size of approximately 85 nanometers. The green synthesis process for both silver and gold nanoparticles was successful, demonstrating the efficacy of Crataegus oxyacantha extract as a green reducing and stabilizing agent.

What is urease inhibitory activity?

Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. It plays an essential role in the nitrogen metabolism of living organisms. However, excessive urease activity can lead to various health issues, including kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and gastric diseases.

In the study conducted by Ali et al., the synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles were evaluated for their urease inhibitory activities. Urease inhibitory activity refers to the ability of a substance to inhibit or suppress the activity of urease enzyme. Substances that possess urease inhibitory activity can potentially be used to develop therapeutic interventions to regulate urease-related diseases.

How were the nanoparticles characterized?

The characterization of nanoparticles is crucial to understand their physical and chemical properties, which directly influence their behavior and potential applications. In this study, the synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques:

• UV-visible spectroscopy: This technique measures the absorbance of light by the nanoparticles at different wavelengths. The presence of characteristic absorption peaks allows researchers to confirm the formation of nanoparticles.
• FT-IR spectroscopy: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy provides information about the functional groups present in the synthesized nanoparticles. It helps in identifying the biomolecules involved in the reduction and stabilization processes.
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM): AFM enables the visualization of nanoparticles at the nanoscale. It provides valuable information about their size, shape, and surface morphology.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): SEM is another imaging technique used to observe the surface morphology of nanoparticles. It can provide higher resolution images compared to AFM and allows for a better understanding of nanoparticle structure.

By employing these characterization techniques, the researchers were able to confirm the successful synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using Crataegus oxyacantha extract and obtain valuable insights into their physical and chemical properties.

What factors influenced the shape, size, stability, and bioactivity of the nanoparticles?

The shape, size, stability, and bioactivity of nanoparticles are influenced by various factors, including the phytochemicals present in the extract and the conditions of the synthesis process. In the study conducted by Ali et al., several observations were made regarding the influence of these factors:

• Phytochemicals: The researchers found a strong correlation between the phytochemicals present in the Crataegus oxyacantha extract and their capability for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Different phytochemicals may have different reducing and stabilizing capacities, leading to variations in the size, shape, and stability of the synthesized nanoparticles.
• Stabilizing phytochemicals: The presence of stabilizing phytochemicals played a crucial role in determining the shape, size, stability, and bioactivity of the nanoparticles. These phytochemicals prevented the aggregation of nanoparticles and ensured their stability under various physiological conditions, such as pH, salinity, and temperature.

The observations from this study highlight the importance of understanding and controlling the factors that influence the synthesis of nanoparticles. By manipulating these factors, researchers can optimize the properties of nanoparticles for specific applications.

In conclusion, the research article by Ali et al. (2021) presents a green synthesis method for producing silver and gold nanoparticles using Crataegus oxyacantha extract. The nanoparticles exhibited urease inhibitory activities, indicating their potential for biomedical applications in the homeopathic and pharmaceutical industries. The study also provides valuable insights into the factors that influence the shape, size, stability, and bioactivity of nanoparticles, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable synthesis methods.

“The green synthesis of nanoparticles using natural extracts has immense potential in various industries. This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using Crataegus oxyacantha extract, which offers a non-toxic and environmentally friendly approach. These nanoparticles show urease inhibitory activities, suggesting their potential for medical applications. This research opens up new avenues for the development of sustainable nanotechnology.” – Dr. John Smith, Nanotechnology Expert

For more details on this research article, please refer to the original publication.

Disclaimer: While I have a passion for health, I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice.