Comparative Study on Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis Using Male and Female Pistacia Khinjuk Leaf Extracts: Enhanced Efficacy of Female Leaf Extracts

Abstract

This study aims to uncover the potential differences in bioactive compounds present in leaf extracts obtained from female and male individuals of Pistacia khinjuk, abundantly found in the Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey, and their roles in influencing the properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Results obtained through TEM and SEM imaging techniques determined the morphology and size of AgNPs synthesized from female (FL‐AgNPs) and male (ML‐AgNPs) leaf extracts. Additionally, FTIR spectrum analysis demonstrated the chemical composition of the FL‐AgNPs, ML‐AgNPs, and the extracts. Zeta potential and zeta sizer analyses revealed differences between nanoparticles obtained from female and male plants. The total phenolic content of leaf extracts from female plants is significantly higher than that obtained from male plants (female plants: 30.68±0.26 mg GAE/g, male plants: 24.22±0.37 mg GAE/g). Furthermore, FL‐AgNPs (43.2±2.64 mg GAE/g) exhibit higher antioxidant activity compared to ML‐AgNPs (31.7±1.16 mg GAE/g). ICP‐MS analyses indicate that FL‐AgNPs are synthesized with higher efficiency compared to ML‐AgNPs (FL‐AgNPs: 99.90±0.106 %, ML‐AgNPs: 94.99±0.079 %). Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of FL‐AgNPs and ML‐AgNPs nanoparticles was evaluated agar well diffusion method against the pathogen Escherichia coli (E.Coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus]