Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using bilberry and red currant waste extracts

The production of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from bilberry waste (BW) and red currant waste (RCW) extracts was studied. Red fruit extracts were obtained by treating BW and RCW with aqueous ethanol (50% v/v) at 40 °C. The formation of nanoparticles was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the intensity of the surface plasmon resonance band (SPR) of silver. The effects of temperature (20–60 °C) and pH (8–12) on the reaction kinetics and on the properties of Ag-NPs were investigated. Characterization by XRD and DLS techniques showed that Ag-NPs were highly crystalline, with a face-centered cubic structure and a hydrodynamic diameter of 25–65 nm. The zeta potential was in the range of –35.6 to –20.5 mV. Nanoparticles obtained from BW were slightly smaller and more stable than those from RCW. A kinetic analysis by the initial-rate method showed that there was an optimum pH, around 11, for the production of Ag-NPs. Overall, the results obtained suggest that BW and RCW can be advantageously used as a source of reducing and stabilizing agents for the green synthesis of Ag-NPs.