Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of carboxymethyl dextrane stabilized silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-CMD) were synthesized from aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and carboxymethyl dextrane (CMD) in mole ratio 1:1 and 1:2. The characterization of AgNPs-CMD was performed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and antimicrobial activity. The formation of AgNPs-CMD was screened by color changes of the reaction mixture to yellow, by measuring the surface plasmon resonance absorption peak in UV-VIS region at 420 nm. The GPC chromatography measurement confirmed the formation of AgNPs-CMD. The SEM microscopy was used for size and shape of AgNPs-CMD nanoparticles determination. The presence of elemental silver and crystalline structure of AgNPs-CMD were confirmed by XRD analyses. The possible functional group of CMD responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs were determinated by FT-IR spectroscopy. The AgNPs-CMD showed strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus lutea, Bacillus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and antifungal activity against Aspergillus spp., Penicillum spp., and Candida albicans. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.