Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pongamia pinnata seed: Characterization, antibacterial property, and spectroscopic investigation of interaction with human serum albumin.

In recent years, green synthesized nanoparticles from plant extract have drawn a great interest due to their prospective nanomedicinal application. This study investigates a proficient, safer, and sustainable way for the preparation of AgNPs using medicinal plant Pongamia pinnata (family: Leguminoseae, species: Pinnata) seeds extract without using any external reducing and stabilizing agent. Both ultraviolet-visible spectrum at λmax  = 439 nm and energy dispersive X-ray spectra proof the formation of AgNPs. An average diameter of the AgNPs was 16.4 nm as revealed from transmission electron microscope. Hydrodynamic size (d = ~19.6 nm) was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Zeta potential of AgNPs was found to be -23.7 mV, which supports its dispersion and stability. Fourier transform infrared study revealed that the O ─ H, C ═ O, and C-O-C groups were responsible for the formation of AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs was checked against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. AgNPs at its LD50 dose exhibited synergistic effect with ampicillin. Because protein-AgNPs association greatly affects its adsorption, distribution, and functionality and can also influence the functions of biomolecules. So in order to understand the adsorption and bioavailability, we investigated by fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible, and circular dichroism spectroscopic methods the interaction of synthesized AgNPs toward human serum albumin. The binding affinity and binding sites of human serum albumin toward AgNPs were measured by using the fluorescence quenching data. The circular dichroism spectroscopic results revealed that there was a negligible change of α-helical content in their native structure. Overall, these AgNPs show versatile biological activities and may be applied in the field of nanomedicine.