GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING PROPOLIS EXTRACT: EVALUATING ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL

Abstract

The development of eco‑friendly and sustainable nanomaterials has gained significant attention due to increasing concerns regarding the environmental and biological toxicity of chemically synthesized nanoparticles. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via a green synthesis approach using propolis extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Propolis, a resinous product collected by honeybees, is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and bioactive compounds that facilitate nanoparticle formation while imparting biological functionality. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X‑ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). UV–Vis analysis confirmed AgNP formation through the appearance of a characteristic surface plasmon resonance band. Structural and morphological analyses revealed crystalline, predominantly spherical nanoparticles with nanoscale dimensions. The antimicrobial activity of the propolis‑mediated AgNPs was evaluated against selected Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacterial strains using the agar well diffusion method, demonstrating enhanced inhibitory effects compared to crude propolis extract. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, showing concentration‑dependent antioxidant activity. The results suggest that propolis‑derived AgNPs possess significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential application in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields.