Investigating Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities with Cu²⁺ Detection of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Litchi Chinensis Peel Ethanol–Water Extract
摘要
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a green route, where an ethanol-water extract of Litchi chinensis peel served as both the reducing and stabilizing agent, with AgNO₃ as the precursor. Synthesis parameters were optimized by response surface methodology with central composite design, identifying 13.2% ethanol and 13.9 g/L of Litchi chinensis peel dosage as the optimum. The produced AgNPs were phase-pure and predominantly spherical, with an average particle size of 14.0 nm, a zeta potential of − 22.4 mV, and a surface plasmon resonance at 440 nm. Conversion of Ag⁺ to Ag° reached 94.8% after a 24-h reaction at room temperature, and the resultant nanoparticles exhibited stability for 90 days under ambient temperature storage conditions. Biologically, the AgNPs inhibited representative Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica), and showed activity against cancer cell lines (KB, HepG2, A549, MCF7). For sensing, the material enabled colorimetric detection of Cu²⁺ over the range of 0.25–18.00 ppm, with a limit of detection of 1.88 ppm. These results demonstrate an optimized and sustainable pathway from agricultural by-products to functional AgNPs with dual utility in antimicrobial and anticancer applications, as well as in Cu²⁺ monitoring.