In situ green synthesis and characterization of sericin-silver nanoparticle composite with effective antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility

- A novel biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in situ in sericin solution was developed.
- The preparation of the sericin-AgNP composite solution was rapid, green and facile.
- The prepared sericin-AgNP composite has long-term stability, effective antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility.

Silver nanoparticle has been widely applied to a variety of fields for its outstanding antimicrobial activity. However, the stability of silver nanoparticle limits its application under certain conditions. Thus, improving the stability of silver nanoparticle via biosynthesis is a promising shortcut to expand its application. Sericin from silkworm cocoon has good hydrophilicity, reaction activity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we developed a novel, simple, one-step biosynthesis method to prepare sericin-silver nanoparticle composite in situ in solution. Sericin served as the reductant of silver ion, the dispersant and stabilizer of the prepared sericin-silver nanoparticle composite. Natural light was the only power source used to catalyze the synthesis of silver nanoparticle in situ in solution. The novel sericin-silver nanoparticle composite was characterized by ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed silver nanoparticle could be synthesized through the reduction of AgNO3 by the phenolic hydroxyl group of tyrosine residues of sericin under the catalysis of natural light. The synthesized silver nanoparticle had good crystalline, size distribution and long-term stability at room temperature. Light irradiation was essential for the preparation of sericin-silver nanoparticle composite. The antibacterial activity assay showed 25 mg/L and 100 mg/L were the minimum concentrations of sericin-silver nanoparticle composite required to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and kill this bacterium, respectively. The cytotoxicity assay showed cell viability and cell growth were almost not affected by sericin-silver nanoparticle composite under the concentration of 25 mg/L. Our study suggested the preparation of sericin-silver nanoparticle composite was environmentally friendly and energy conservation, and the prepared sericin-silver nanoparticle composite had long-term stability, effective antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility. This novel sericin-silver nanoparticle composite has shown great potentials for biomedical application such as antibacterial agent and wound care.

Sericin from silkworm cocoon has good hydrophilicity, reaction activity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we developed a novel, simple, one-step biosynthesis method to prepare sericin-AgNP composite in situ in solution. Sericin served as the reductant of silver ion, the dispersant and stabilizer of sericin-AgNP composite. Natural light was used as the only power source to catalyze the synthesis of AgNPs in situ in solution. Our study suggested the preparation method of sericin-AgNP composite was environmentally friendly and energy conservation, and the prepared sericin-AgNP composite had long-term stability, effective antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility. This novel sericin-AgNP composite has shown great potentials for medical application such as antibacterial agent and wound care.137