Biosynthesis of Ultrasonically Modified Ag-MgO Nanocomposite and Its Potential for Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

This study reports a green synthesis route for a bilayered Ag-MgO nanocomposite using aqueous peel extract of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit red) under an accelerated uniform heating technique and its antibacterial potency against Escherichia coli. Surface modifications and composition of the nanocomposite were examined using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. (e efficiencies of the as-synthesized Ag-MgO nanocomposite against Escherichia coli were examined. (e synthesized Ag-MgO nanocomposite showed characteristic synergetic bands at 290nm for MgO nanoparticle and at around 440nm for Ag nanoparticle which blue-shifted to 380nm in the composite. A spherically dispersed nanocomposite with cubical crystal lattice network with a diameter of about 20–100nm comprising Ag nanoparticle embedded within MgO nanoparticles was obtained. (e nanocomposite produced stronger antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli as compared to MgO nanoparticle, indicating a higher interaction between Ag and MgO ions. (e nanocomposite was successfully synthesized via an efficient modified method by bioreductive agents with an improved synergistic antibacterial property towards water purification.