A NOVEL NANOPRECIPITATION ROUTE TO SILVER NANOPARTICLES: INSIGHTS INTO STRUCTURE, STABILITY, AND BIOACTIVITY

Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) via a modified citrate reduction method and comprehensively evaluate their physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy, and cytotoxicity for potential application in wound healing. Methods: Ag-NPs were synthesized using silver nitrate and trisodium citrate as the reducing agent. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Dynamic light scattering was used to determine particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against a panel of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Trichoderma asperellum. Cytocompatibility was assessed using the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line via an MTT assay after 24 hours of exposure. Results: UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Ag-NPs with a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR)peakat 407 nm. The nanoparticles were spherical and crystalline, with a size range of 26.82 ± 0.42 nm to 306.00 ± 0.31 nm and a zeta potential ranging from -9.13 ± 0.12 mV to 30.89 ± 0.30 mV, indicating moderate colloidal stability. The Ag-NPs demonstrated significant, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial and fungal strains. Cytotoxicity assessment revealed a concentration-dependent effect on HaCaT cells, with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 9.93 µg/mL. Conclusion: The successfully synthesized citrate-stabilized Ag-NPs possess desirable physicochemical characteristics and potent antimicrobial properties. Overall, the results suggest that Ag-NPs may be utilized as antimicrobial agents to promote wound healing.