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Due to high antimicrobial activity against numerous microorganisms, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being utilized in various areas. Microwave-accelerated AgNPs synthesis using Corylus avellana leaf extract was evaluated. Based on randomly central composite design, 13 mixture solutions containing different amounts of the prepared extract (0.10–0.90 mL) and 1 mM silver nitrate solution (15–25 mL) were prepared and exposed to microwave irradiation for 180 s. Response surface methodology was utilized to evaluate the effects of the two independent variables on particle size and concentration of the synthesized AgNPs, as manifested in the place of broad emission peak (λ max) and its absorbance unit, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that the two hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups with reducing activity existed in the prepared extract. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the formed spherical AgNPs using optimum amounts of C. avellana leaf extract (0.9 mL) and 1 mM silver nitrate solution (25 mL) had minimum particle size (103.5 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI) (0.209), and maximum concentration (140 ppm) and zeta potential (−21.8 mV). Results indicated that the formed AgNPs had high fungicidal effects against the spoiled fungi of Colletotrichum coccodes and Penicillium digitatum.

Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) have predominant characteristics compared to that in their bulk usage due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. The walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaf extract containing different bioactive compounds that act as reductant and stabilizing agents has been used for the green synthesis of the Se NPs. Influences of two synthetic variables, namely, the amount of selenium salt solution ranging from 15 to 25 mL and the amount of walnut leaf extract ranging from 1 to 5 mL, on broad emission peak (λmax) and absorbance of colloidal solutions having Se NPs were evaluated via the response surface methodology. Obtained results indicated that using microwave radiation (800 W for 4 min) and 5 mL of walnut leaf extract and 15 mL of selenium salt solution, Se NPs with λmax, absorbance, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential values of 375 nm, 3.65% absorbance unit (a.u.), 208 nm, 0.206, and −24.7 mV were synthesized, which had high bactericidal activity toward Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The transmission electron microscopy analysis also indicated that spherical and monodispersed Se NPs with a mean particle size of 150 nm were formed using the walnut leaf extract.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were green synthesized using Pelargonum zonale leaf extract under three different heating methods, and their characteristics were evaluated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and antibacterial well diffusion method. The FT-IR analysis indicated that the Pelargonium leaf extract contained hydroxyl and amide I groups which were related to the proteins, carbohydrate, tannins and phenolic compounds of the extract and had an essential role in the reduction of the zinc ions and synthesis of the ZnO NPs. The obtained results revealed that the synthesized spherical individual ZnO NPs as well as the number of aggregates using microwave irradiation, autoclave and conventional heating (heater-stirrer) methods had average crystalline size of 51, 60 and 61 nm. Furthermore, antioxidant activities of the fabricated ZnO NPs were 7.8, 4.1 and 5.5% by using conventional heating, autoclave and microwave irradiation, respectively. The obtained results indicated that all the formed ZnO NPs had bactericidal effects against to the both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria strains. However, the synthesized ZnO NPs using conventional heating method had the highest antibacterial activities toward both studied bacteria strains.

The present study focuses on the biogenic synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) using Pelargonium zonale leaf extract under microwave irradiation. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of the synthesis parameters, namely amounts of the leaf extract (0.5–2.5 ml) and amounts of the 10 mm sodium selenite solutions (15–65 ml), at constant microwave heating (4 min), on the concentration and particle size of the fabricated Se NPs, optimize the synthesis conditions and verify the generated models and the procedures. The obtained results indicated that Se NPs with preferable attributes of mean particle size (50 nm), zeta potential (−24.6 mV), absorbance [34.6% absorbance units (a.u.)] and broad absorption peak (319 nm) were formed at the optimum synthesis conditions including amounts of 1.48 ml and 15 ml Pelargonium leaf extract and sodium selenite solution, respectively. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized Se NPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus indicated that the created NPs had higher antibacterial activities toward the Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the synthesized Se NPs indicated higher antifungal activities against Colletotrichum coccodes and Penicillium digitatum.

Ginger oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsions, were produced using phase inversion composition method and Tween 80, as emulsifier. Effects of processing parameters namely, stirring rate (100 to1000 rpm) and water addition rate (1–10 mL/min) were evaluated on the physico-chemical, morphological, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the prepared O/W nanoemulsions using response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicated that well dispersed and spherical ginger nanodroplets were formed in the nanoemulsions with minimum particle size (8.80 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI, 0.285) and maximum zeta potential value (−9.15 mV), using stirring rate and water addition rate of 736 rpm and 8.18 mL/min, respectively. Insignificant differences between predicted and experimental values of the response variables, indicated suitability of fitted models using RSM. Mean particle size of the prepared nanoemulsion using optimum conditions were changed from 8.81 ± 1 to 9.80 ± 1 nm, during 4 weeks of storage, which revealed high stability of the resulted ginger O/W nanoemulsion. High antioxidant activity (55.4%), bactericidal (against Streptococcus mutans) and fungicidal (against Aspergillus niger) activities of the prepared nanoemulsion could be related to the presence of gingerols and shogaols, a group of phenolic alkanones, in the ginger oil, which those were detected by gas chromatography method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]