BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING EXTRACTS OF TWO SPECIES OF PORTULACA AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING EXTRACTS OF TWO SPECIES OF PORTULACA AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Trupti P. Durgawale ^{* 1}, Chitra C. Khanwelkar ¹ and Pratik P. Durgawale ²

Department of Pharmacology ¹, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics ², Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed to be University, Karad - 415539, Maharashtra, India.

ABSTRACT: Portulaca oleraceae commonly known as Purslane and Portulaca quadrifida commonly known as chicken weed are consumed in salads, pickles, and soup in Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean region. In the traditional systems of medicine in Asia and Africa, they have been attributed to several pharmacological properties. Phytochemical investigations point to the presence of various beneficial constituents including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, polysaccharides, vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids among others. In this study, ethanolic extracts of P. oleraceae and P. quadrifida were prepared using microwave-assisted extraction. These extracts were used separately to synthesize silver nanoparticles, and their characteristics were studied using SEM, TEM, and FTIR analysis. The antibacterial activity was tested on different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using agar diffusion technique and measuring the zone of inhibition. The analysis of biogenic nanoparticles indicated the presence of chemical bonds between the surface of nanoparticles and phytochemicals. The nanoparticles were found to be mostly spherical of diameters ranging from 140 nm to 1.1 µm present in clusters. All the nanoparticle samples exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. The microwave assisted extracts obtained from both the species of Portulaca were thus used for the synthesis of biogenic nanoparticles with antibacterial activity. The obtained silver nanoparticles could further be used in medical or pharmacological applications requiring antibacterial agents after proper safety and efficacy tests are conducted.

Silver nanoparticles, Portulaca oleraceae, Portulaca quadrifida, Antibacterial activity

INTRODUCTION: Portulaca oleraceae, commonly known as purslane, (Family: Portulacaceae) grows as turfgrass or weed. The plant is used in the preparation of pickles, soup or salad owing to its sour taste.

The plant might have originated in Asia but is now found in Africa, Australia, Mediterranean region and Asia.

The plant is indicated for use as anticancer, antidiabetic, hypocholesteremic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial in traditional systems of medicine in Asia and Africa ^1-4. Phytochemical studies have indicated the presence of polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids as well as minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids.

The extracts of purslane have anti-oxidant properties owing to the phenolic compounds ⁵. Portulaca quadrifida is another species of Portulaca, commonly known as a chicken weed which grows as a small plant with succulent leaves and woody stem bears yellow flowers. Just like P. oleraceae, P. quadrifida has been indicated to possess medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of asthma, cough, urinary discharges, inflammations and ulcers, hemorrhoids. These two species of Portulaca have nutritional value due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids namely omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ⁶.

With the progress of nanotechnology, the application of metallic nanoparticles is being investigated in the various fields such as wound healing, radio imaging, and potential candidates for anti-viral, anti-cancer treatment ^7-14. The conventional methods employed for nanoparticle synthesis make use of chemicals, reducing agents, capping agents and stabilizing agents ¹². With the advent of ‘green nanotechnology,’ novel methods for synthesis of nanoparticles were proposed. One of them being the use of phytochemicals as reducing agents and capping agents in synthesis. There have been numerous reports, especially of silver nanoparticle synthesis using plant-derived phytochemicals and this technique is relatively easy, economical, faster, can be carried out at neutral pH, ambient temperature and is eco-friendly ^15-18.

In the present study, microwave assisted extraction technique was employed which is known to be economical, time-saving, solvent saving, and leads to improvement in extraction yield ¹⁹. The obtained extracts of Portulaca oleraceae and Portulaca quadrifida were used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles in the presence of bright sunlight irradiation. The silver nanoparticles were then characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their antibacterial activity was tested using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

EXPERIMENTAL:

Collection of Plant: The plants Portulaca oleraceae and Portulaca quadrifida were collected from a local farm of Walva taluka, District Sangli, State Maharashtra where they were growing like a weed. The plant specimens were authenticated by Dr. Dhanaji S. Pawar, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, M. H. Shinde Mahavidyalaya, Tisangi, State Maharashtra and specimen vouchers were deposited for P. oleraceae L. (V03) and P. quadrifida L. (V04). Some of the P. oleraceae plants were dried in the shade, and their seeds were separated and stored for further use.

Extraction: Microwave-Assisted Extraction was carried out in a controlled Catalyst microwave system having maximum power output 800 Watt, 50 gram (g) sample and 120 milliliters (ml) solvent for 20 minutes (min) ¹⁹. The extracts obtained were as follows-

1. Ethanolic extract of fresh Portulaca oleraceae whole plant.
2. Ethanolic extract Portulaca quadrifida fresh whole plant.
3. Ethanolic extract Portulaca oleraceae dry whole plant.
4. Ethanolic extract Portulaca oleraceae

The extracts were evaporated to dryness and stored at minus 20 degree Celsius (°C) deep freezer until required.

Green Synthesis: 2 milliliter (ml) each of extract mentioned above was separately transferred to 48 ml of 0.1 molar (M) silver nitrate solution in a beaker while constantly stirring the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was then exposed to direct sunlight and change in color from colorless to brown was observed. The beaker was then left overnight at room temperature in the dark. Following day, the biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were separated by centrifugation and stored in a suitable container.

Physicochemical Characterization: Silver nano-particles biosynthesized by using the above-motioned procedure were characterized in Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR): FTIR analysis of the silver nanoparticles was performed using Nicklet 380 Thermo, US Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): For SEM analysis, the colloidal solutions containing biogenic silver nanoparticles were separated by centrifugation. The supernatant was discarded, and final pellets were re-suspended in de-ionized water and air dried. The samples were then analyzed using INSTRUMENT JSM-6390.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): The measurement of the size of the biogenic silver nanoparticles was performed using Philips CM 200 transmission electron microscopy.

Antibacterial Activity: In antibacterial studies, standard agar well diffusion method as described in the Clinical Laboratory Institute (CLI) guidelines were used to test the anti-bacterial efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles. The organisms used for this study were gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The organisms were clinical isolates obtained from Krishna Hospital, Karad. The efficacy of samples was measured in terms of the zone of inhibition.

The pure cultures of bacteria were subcultured appropriately on Muller Hinton Agar and Blood agar. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were cultured using Muller Hinton agar, and blood agar were used for Streptococcus pyogenes. Each strain was spread uniformly onto the individual plates. Wells of 10 mm diameter were made on nutrient agar plates using sterile micropipettes tips. 25 microliter (µl) of the nanoparticles solution was added to each well. The plates were incubated at 37 ºC for 24 h following which the diameter of the zone of inhibition was measured millimeter and results were recorded as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) ²⁰.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR): The results for Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy were as follows. The FTIR results and analysis of nanoparticles synthesized using the ethanolic extract of Portulaca oleraceae whole plant are as stated below Fig. 1, Table 1.

FIG. 1: FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE WHOLE PLANT

TABLE 1: ANALYSIS OF FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE WHOLE PLANT

As can be seen from the results obtained, the phytochemicals are bonded onto the surface of the silver nanoparticles via chemical bonds indicating that these proteins, aromatic compounds, poly-saccharides act as capping agents during the green synthesis of nanoparticles. The FTIR results for silver nanoparticles synthesized using the ethanolic extract of Portulaca quadrifida whole plant were as follows Fig. 2, Table 2.

FIG. 2: FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA QUADRIFIDA WHOLE PLANT

TABLE 2: ANALYSIS OF FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA QUADRIFIDA WHOLE PLANT

The above results indicate the presence of chemical bonds between the surface of silver nanoparticles and phytochemicals via an amide bond, carbonyl group indicating the involvement of amino acid moieties, aromatic compounds during nanoparticle synthesis. The FTIR results for silver nanoparticles synthesized using the ethanolic extract of Portulaca oleraceae dry whole plant were as follows Fig. 3, Table 3.

FIG. 3: FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE DRY WHOLE PLANT

TABLE 3: ANALYSIS OF FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE DRY WHOLE PLANT

The results obtained indicate the presence of amide, carbonyl linkages between phytochemicals and surface of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR results for silver nanoparticles synthesized using an ethanolic extract of Portulaca oleraceae seeds were as follows Fig. 4, Table 4.

FIG. 4: FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE SEEDS

TABLE 4: ANALYSIS OF FTIR RESULT FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PORTULACA OLERACEAE SEEDS

The above results indicate the presence of chemical bond between nanoparticles and carbonyl group-containing compounds which might be unsaturated fatty acids, in addition to amide linkages.

FIG. 5: THE RESULTS OF SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF BIOGENIC SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING (A) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE FRESH WHOLE PLANT; (B) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. QUADRIFIDA FRESH WHOLE PLANT; (C) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE DRY WHOLE PLANT; (D) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE SEEDS

TABLE 5: THE DIAMETER OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES STUDIED USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Biogenic silver nanoparticles as polycrystalline structure were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The analysis indicated that all four nanoparticle samples were presented as clusters Fig. 5A-D. The biogenic silver nanoparticles were found to be uniform and relatively globular. The diameters for silver nanoparticle samples were as follows in Table 5.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Morphology of the biogenic silver nanoparticles of was investigated by TEM ad the results were as follows Fig. 6.

FIG. 6: THE RESULTS OF TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF BIOGENIC SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING (A, B, C) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE FRESH WHOLE PLANT; (D, E, F) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. QUADRIFIDA FRESH WHOLE PLANT; (G, H, I) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE DRY WHOLE PLANT; (J, K, L) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF P. OLERACEAE SEEDS

FIG. 7: THE ZONE OF INHIBITION OBSERVED DUE TO ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SILVER NANO-PARTICLES ON AGAR PLATES OF THE RESPECTIVE CULTURED BACTERIA

Antibacterial Activity: The anti-bacterial activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles was studied using agar well diffusion method. The zone of inhibition for each sample performed in triplicate was measured, and the results were as follows Fig. 7.

Antibacterial activity has measured the efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles against bacterial strains was found in ascending order of Escherichia coli > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Staphylococcus aureus > Streptococcus pyogenes Table 6.

TABLE 6: THE ZONE OF INHIBITION OF TESTED BACTERIA AFTER EXPOSURE TO BIOGENIC SILVER NANOPARTICLES

 All the biogenic silver nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial activity against strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria after 24 h exposure. The relatively greater zone of inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) may be attributed to the absence of the peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall which is otherwise present in Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, S. pyogenes) making them more susceptible to nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles synthesized using plant extract have been reported to exhibit similar antibacterial activity and physical characteristics studied using SEM, TEM, and FTIR ^{14, 16, 20}. The antibacterial activity was reported to be greater for Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. The biogenic silver nanoparticles can thus be synthesized in a relatively economical, safer way and require less instrumentation as compared to conventional chemical methods of nanoparticle synthesis.

CONCLUSION: The described method of ‘green nanotechnology’ was successfully employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles using four separate plant extracts. The synthesis of nanoparticles was relatively simple, convenient and required a low level of instrumentation. The characteristics of nanoparticles were studied using SEM, TEM, and FTIR. The nanoparticles also exhibited antibacterial activity against all the tested bacterial strains.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The authors would like to extend their gratitude towards the Directorate of Research, KIMSDU, Karad for their encouragement and guidance in conducting this research. The authors also acknowledge the overwhelming support extended by the Sophisticated Analytical Instruments Facility (SAIF) at the Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre (STIC), Kochi for carrying out the SEM, TEM, FTIR analysis for all the samples.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None to be declared.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: The above study was completely funded by the KIMSDU, Karad and the study procedure was approved by the Institutional Protocol Committee and Institutional Ethics Committee.

REFERENCES:

1. Masoodi MH, Ahmad B, Mir SR, Zargar BA, and Tabassum N: Portulaca oleracea a review. Journal of Pharmacy Research 2011; 4: 3044-48.
2. Kamal-Uddin MD, Juraimi AS, Begum M, Ismail MR, Rahim AA and Othman R: Floristic composition of weed community in turf grass area of west peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 2009; 11(1): 13-20.
3. Uddin MK, Juraimi AS, Ismail MR and Brosnan JT: Characterizing weed populations in different turfgrass sites throughout the Klang Valley of Western Peninsular Malaysia. Weed Technology 2010; 24(2): 173-181.
4. Uddin M, Juraimi AS, Hossain MS, Un A, Ali M and Rahman MM: Purslane weed (Portulaca oleracea): a prospective plant source of nutrition, omega-3 fatty acid, and antioxidant attributes. The Scientific World Journal 2014; Article ID 951019: 6.
5. Syed S, Fatima N and Kabeer G: Portulaca oleracea : a mini review on phytochemistry and pharmacology. International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology 2016; 13(4): 637-41.
6. Syed KM, Liyakha TA and Swamy P: Neuro-pharmacological effects of ethanolic extract of Portulaca quarifida in Mice. International Journal of PharmTech Research 2010; 2(2): 1386-90.
7. Baetke SC, Lammers TGGM, Fabian K: Applications of nanoparticles for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. The British journal of radiology 2015; 88: 1054.
8. Ahmed S, Ahmad M, Swami BL and Ikram S: A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: green expertise. Journal of Advanced Research 2016; 7(1): 17-28.
9. Rai M, Ingle AP, Birla S, Yadav A and Santos CAD: Strategic role of selected noble metal nanoparticles in medicine. Critical reviews in microbiology 2016; 42(5): 696-19.
10. Hofmann-Amtenbrink M, Grainger DW and Hofmann H: Nanoparticles in medicine: current challenges facing inorganic nanoparticle toxicity assessments and standardizations. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2015; 11(7): 1689-94.
11. Majdalawieh A, Kanan MC, El-Kadri O and Kanan SM: Recent advances in gold and silver nanoparticles: synthesis and applications. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2014; 14(7): 4757-80.
12. Gobbo OL, Sjaastad K, Radomski MW, Volkov Y and Prina-Mello A: Magnetic nanoparticles in cancer theranostics. Theranostics 2015; 5(11): 1249.
13. Nikalje AP: Nanotechnology and its applications in medicine. Med chem. 2015; 5(2): 81-89.
14. Renu S, Arunachalam K, Annamalai P, Selvaraju K, Kanchi SS and Vilwanathan R: Origanum vulgare mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles for its antibacterial and anticancer activity. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2013; 108: 80-84.
15. Gurunathan S, Raman J, Malek SNA, John PA and Vikineswary S: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki: a potential cytotoxic agent against breast cancer cells. International Journal of Nanomedicine 2013; 8: 4399-13. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S51881.
16. Mujeeb K, Merajuddin K, Syed FA, Muhammad NT, Wolfgang T, Hamad ZA, Abdulrahman AW, Mohammad R and Siddiqui H: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by Pulicaria glutinosa International Journal of Nanomedicine 2013; 8: 1507-16.
17. Phatak RS and Hendre AS: Sunlight induced green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using sundried leaves to extract of Kalanchoe pinnata and evaluation of its photocatalytic potential. Der Pharmacia Lettre 2015; 7(5): 313-24.
18. Shakeel A, Mudasir A, Babu LS and Saiqa I: A review on plants extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications: A green expertise. Journal of Advanced Research 2015; 2090: 1232.
19. Thomas M: Microwave-Assisted Extraction Chapter in RSC Green Chemistry 2013. DOI: 10.1039/97818497375 79-00113, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
20. Durgawale PP, Phatak RS and Hendre AS: Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using latex of Syandenium grantii Hook f and its assessment of antibacterial activities. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures 2015; 10(3): 847.
    

    ---

    How to cite this article:

    Durgawale TP, Khanwelkar CC and Durgawale PP: Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using extracts of two species of Portulaca and their antibacterial activity. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2019; 10(5): 2250-56. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(5).2250-56.

    ---

    All © 2013 are reserved by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. This Journal licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

    ---