Waste corn silk for eco-friendly silver nanoparticles: Green synthesis, characterization and determination of enzyme inhibition properties

Abstract

Due to the increasing population and consumption rate, the sustainable use of resources is very important. Corn is one of the most produced grains in the world. However, many parts of it, such as corn silk, roots and corn husk are disposed of as agricultural waste. Within the sustainability, it is possible to bring waste into the field of technology and develop new products with green synthesis. In this study, the waste corn silk was dried, extracted and used as a precursor in synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs). The CS-AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry, infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry and scanning transmission electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, the inhibition effects of CS-AgNPs on enzymes such as alpha-amylase, alpha-glycosidase, urease, acetyl cholinesterase, and xanthine oxidase which are important for the treatment of some diseases were determined. The obtained nanoparticles gave the maximum absorbance at 470 nm and the average size of the nanoparticles was found as 65 nm. It was determined that CS-AgNPs showed very good antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects on alpha-amylase (52.27%), alpha glycosidase (43.51%), urease (80.33%), acetyl cholinesterase (66.17%), and xanthine oxidase (73.67%). The obtained results show that the nanoparticles synthesized using the green synthesis technique could be used in medicine and pharmaceuticals.