Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sambucus nigra leaves: elucidation, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and quantification of phenolics

Biogenic production of silver nanoparticles (sn-AgNPs) was accomplished by Sambucus nigra. The identification of structures was performed by a wide spectroscopic study. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopic study indicated the maximum absorption of nanoparticles at 480 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) presented the nanoparticles as spherical shapes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) signals (2θ) at the degrees of 38.20°, 44.40°, 64.61°, 77.61°, and 81.76° corresponded to [111, 020, 202, 131, and 222] facet, respectively, confirming the nanostructure as face-centered cubic structure. The size of the nanoparticles was determined as 28.6 nm and 27.4 nm by SEM and TEM images, respectively. Zeta potential presented the stability of the product (− 51.3 mV). Furthermore, the histogram of dynamic light scattering (DLS) displayed the particle size of the nanostructure as 31.01 nm. HPLC analysis was used to determine the phenolics in S. nigra aerial part quantitatively and chlorogenic acid was the main product (10.76 mg/g extract). sn-AgNPs showed the substantial antioxidant effect as 12.1 ± 0.19 (µg/mL, lC50) and 3.1 ± 0.1 (lC50) for DPPH• and ABTS•+ assays, respectively. Antibacterial activity of extract and sn-AgNPs was executed. Both extract and Sn-AgNPs exhibited considerable activity.