Synthesis and characterization of nanosilver with antibacterial properties using Pinus densiflora young cone extract

•The simple and eco-friendly approach for synthesis of silver nanoparticles is studied.•The silver nanoparticles are synthesized using Pinus densiflora for. multicaulis Uyeki young cone extract.•The silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV–Vis spectra, XRD, FTIR and TEM.•The silver nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity against B. linens, P. acnes, B. cereus, and S. epidermidis.

This study describes an eco-friendly, rapid method for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from an aqueous solution of silver nitrate using Pinus densiflora for. multicaulis Uyeki young cone extract in a single-pot process. Color changes, ultraviolet–visible spectra (444.5 nm), X-ray diffraction peaks (2θ = 39.68, 46.92, 68.12, and 79.10), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of Ag NPs and phytochemicals. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles were mostly oval in shape, with a few triangular-shaped particles. Average particle size was 30–80 nm. Phytochemicals present in the young pine cone extract were likely responsible for the reduction of Ag+ ions. The synthesized Ag NPs (40 μg) had a 7 mm larger zone of inhibition against the skin pathogen Brevibacterium linens than commercial Ag NPs, Propionibacterium acnes (14 mm), Bacillus cereus (9 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (10 mm).

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