Synthesis, characterization and biological potential of silver nanoparticles using Enteromorpha prolifera algal extract

Aqueous extract of seaweed Enteromorpha prolifera was used to synthesize Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs). The reaction mixture turns brown when AgNPs are formed in it. UV–VIS, FTIR, XRD, EDAX and DLS with Zeta potential techniques were used to characterize the green synthesized AgNPs. AgNPs exhibited an absorbance band at 448 nm in the UV–Vis spectrum. FTIR spectrum registered 11 intense peaks with distinct functional groups. AgNPs display an XRD pattern with 8 peaks, and the average grain size was 17.8 nm. FESEM analysis shows that AgNPs are polydispersed and spherical. EDX results revealed a strong signal peak at 3 keV due to silver presence. The Zeta potential of AgNPs was 30.88 mV, which indicates their stability. The growth of the seedling was positively affected by certain concentrations of AgNPs. In DPPH, the lowest "IC50" value against algae extract was 133.33 g/mL, compared to 142.0 g/mL for algal AgNPs. Increased AgNPs concentrations reduce the earthworms' death time in toxicology studies.