Green Synthesis of Ag/AgCl Nanoparticles From Argan Oil Waste: Characterization, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxicity Activities

Abstract

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) from biological sources provides a sustainable and biocompatible approach with diverse applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and environmental remediation. In this study, silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl-NPs) were synthesized using saponins extracted from argan press cake. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The initial indication of nanoparticle formation was a yellow coloration, with a distinct absorption band observed between 400 and 450 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. TEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical, with an average diameter of 12.3 ± 7.6 nm. The antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of the Ag/AgCl-NPs were also evaluated. Antibacterial activity was assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria using disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. In vitro cytotoxicity was tested against MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, and HeLa cancer cell lines. The results demonstrated that the biosynthesized Ag/AgCl-NPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity and moderate cytotoxic effects, indicating their potential for biomedical applications.