Abstract

The exceptional properties of the silver nanoparticles offer several applications in the biomedicine field. The

development of antibiotics which are clinically useful against bacteria and drug resistant microorganisms, it is one

of the main approaches of silver nanoparticles. However, it is necessary to develop environmentally friendly

methods for their synthesis. In this sense, the main objective of this work is focused on to propose a simplified and

efficient green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with proven antibacterial properties. The green synthesis route is

based on the use of the Melissa officinalis as reducing agent of the silver ions in aqueous solution at room

temperature. Complementary, the antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and

Escherichia coli was confirmed. The silver nanoparticles obtained were characterized by transmission electron

microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The observed results suggested that using

Melissa officinalis, it is possible to performed silver nanoparticles with controlled characteristics and with

significant inhibitory activity against the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Keywords
Green synthesis, Nanoparticles and Antibacterial effect.

1. Introduction

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP´s) has been widely studied due to the excellent physicochemical properties [1] and

consequently their potentials application in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, optoelectronics,

renewable energies, environmental remediation and biomedical devices[2]. Silver nanoparticles exhibits high

chemical stability, catalytic activity and antibacterial activity[3]. Many strategies, have been employed to carry out

the silver ions reduction such as the thermal decomposition in organic solvents, microemulsions, reduction assisted

by ultrasonic irradiation and microwaves, photo reduction and electrochemical reduction[4]. However, many

methods are expensive and potentially hazardous to the environment due to use of toxic chemical reagents that are

responsible for various biological risks[5]. In this sense, the development of novel green synthesis can be considered

one of the main challenges of nanotechnology[6]. Recent investigations has reported the plants extracts such as

Peumus boldus, Eclipta prostrate, Nelumbo nucifera, Acalypha indica ,Allium sativum, Aloe vera, among others[7],

are environmentally friendly materials and offer an excellent alternative to obtain AgNP´s. On the other hand, many

reports indicates that the AgNP´s exhibits antibacterial activity and offer an attractive alternative to the develop of

antibiotics[8]. Also, it is important to emphasize that Melissa officinalis exhibits great advantages from the

economic and ecologic point of view, in comparison with the expensive and toxics traditional methodologies

reported to obtain AgNP´s [9] . Additionally, Melissa officinalis plant is abundant and offer a great availability in

almost all the world, due that the climatic conditions for its cultivation and growth are very versatile. Based on the

above arguments, this research has as main objective, to

propose a simplified and efficient green

IOSR of
synthesis Journal of Pharmacy
AgNP´s, with and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS)
proven

antibacterial properties. In this work, the

green synthesis of AgNP´s by Melissa

officinalis extract and the bactericidal effect

against Staphylococcus aureus and

Escherichia coli were confirmed.

DOI: 10.9790/3008-1303026875 www.iosrjournals.org 3 | Page