Lonicera japonica Thunb. leaves were used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), while its antibacterial and antifungal properties were investigated. Reaction conditions of AgNPs which characterized were optimized. The maximum absorption wavelength of the AgNPs was located about 400 nm, with a spherical shape and a particle size of 14.87 ± 4.07 nm. Produced AgNPs showed effective antibacterial activities against tested bacterial strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the AgNPs were 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml for Escherichia coli (E. coli), and 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. According to the mechanism study, AgNPs generated morphological changes in E. coli and disrupted membrane integrity. Furthermore, AgNPs which showed effective dose‐dependent inhibitory effects against Penicillium citrinum could suppress the growth of fungal mycelium on citrus peels. Conclusively, AgNPs generated by this facile and green method showed effective antimicrobial activity, which is promising in food processing and preservation.
Practical applications
Silver nanoparticles have attracted enormous attention because of their intrinsic properties which are advantageous in many applications, especially in agriculture and food industry. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by medicine food homology plants Lonicera japonica Thunb. leaves for the first time, which was a green synthesis method. Synthesized AgNPs showed good antibacterial and antifungal properties, which has the potential use in citrus preservations.