title: Green synthesis of silk sericin-capped silver nanoparticles and their potent anti-bacterial activity.
abstract: In this study, a 'green chemistry' approach was introduced to synthesize silk sericin (SS)-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under an alkaline condition (pH 11) using SS as a reducing and stabilizing agent instead of toxic chemicals. The SS-capped AgNPs were successfully synthesized at various concentrations of SS and AgNO3, but the yields were different. A higher yield of SS-capped AgNPs was obtained when the concentrations of SS and AgNO3 were increased. The SS-capped AgNPs showed a round shape and uniform size with diameter at around 48 to 117 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy result proved that the carboxylate groups obtained from alkaline degradation of SS would be a reducing agent for the generation of AgNPs while COO- and NH2 + groups stabilized the AgNPs and prevented their precipitation or aggregation. Furthermore, the SS-capped AgNPs showed potent anti-bacterial activity against various gram-positive bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.008 mM) and gram-negative bacteria (MIC ranging from 0.001 to 0.004 mM). Therefore, the SS-capped AgNPs would be a safe candidate for anti-bacterial applications.
authors.affiliation: Bioactive Resources for Innovative Clinical Applications Research Unit and Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 254 PhyaThai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. aramwit@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pornanong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aramwit
authors.forename: Nipaporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Juthamas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ratanavaraporn
authors.forename: Sanong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ekgasit