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Bacteria are the oldest form of life on earth. They are responsible for a variety of infections affecting humans, animals and plants (Reta et al., 2019). In a study done in South China, bacteria was the leading causative agent of food borne illness with 44.93% followed by poisonous plants at 33.33% (Li et al., 2018). The emergence of resistant bacterial strains to various convectional drugs has necessitated a search for alternative antibacterial drugs. The use of silver in treatment of various infections dates back to ancient civilizations. In recent years, this material in form of nanoparticles has found its way back with diverse applications (Aritonang et al., 2019).
Nanoparticles are molecules that have a size ranging from approximately 1-100 nm and in one dimension. Due to their small sizes, the nanomaterials/nanoparticles possess novel physiochemical and biological properties, leading to their widespread application in various areas such as health, electronics, space industries, drug-gene delivery, energy science, optoelectronics, and catalysis (Nikam et al., 2014). They are classified as organic nanoparticles, (fullerenes), inorganic nanoparticles (magnetic and noble metal nanoparticles) and semiconductor nanoparticles (e.g. titanium oxide and zinc oxide). Inorganic metal nanoparticles (Gold and silver) have gained more attention due to superior properties and functional versatility (Devi et al., 2020).
The immense antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and toxicity to cells have made these molecules find great demand in comparison to other nanoparticles in the medical field (Vance et al., 2015). As a result, Ag NPs have been used in production of wound dressing agents, food packaging materials, incorporation into water purification system, coating of medical devices, antiseptics in health care delivery, personal healthcare products, and textile coatings (Tran and Le, 2013; Li et al., 2013; Thakare and Ramteke, 2017; von Goetz et al., 2013). The anticancer properties of silver nanoparticles are associated with the anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative properties of these molecules (Rani et al., 2009).
Silver nanoparticles can be synthesized using chemical, photochemical, and physical methods. However, these methods are expensive and environmentally unfriendly (Hemlata, et al 2020). Plant-based synthesis of nanoparticles provides an alternative to the aforementioned methods due to cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness(Gengan, et al 2013). This is because plants possess phytochemicals which act as reducing and stabilization agents in the synthesis of the nanoparticles. These phytochemicals are; flavanoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, and phenols among others (Swarnalatha et al., 2013). Plants are also widely available, provide simple, and one-step method that does not require culturing or purification (Reda et al., 2019). Some of the studies displaying use of plant extracts in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles include synthesis of Ag NPs using Ananas comosus (pineapple juice)(Ahmad and Sharma, 2012) and biogenic synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract (Masum et al., 2019).
Although silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using plant extracts (Femi-Adepoju et al., 2019), a search for nanoparticles with precise biological, physical, and chemical features is still at the cutting edge of nanoscience research. To the best of our knowledge, synthesis of Ag NPs using Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (pyrethrum) has not been done, hence in the current study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using dichloromethane extract of C. cinerariaefolium. The dichloromethane extract was chosen following prior laboratory analysis, which showed that the extract contained phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids and phenols which have been shown to act as stabilizers and reductants in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Swarnalatha et al., 2013).