Green synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of gold and silver nanoparticles using Mentha spicata essential oil

Green synthesis of bioactive nanoparticles (NPs) is getting more attractive in various fields of science including the food industry. This study investigates the green synthesizing and characterization of gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) produced using Mentha spicata L. (M. spicata) essential oil as well as their antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic effects. The essential oil was mixed with both Chloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)) and aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) solutions separately and incubated at room temperature for 24 h. The chemical composition of the essential oil was identified by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer detector (GC–MS). Au and Ag nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The cytotoxicity of both types of nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT assay on cancerous HEPG-2cell line by exposing them to various concentrations of both NPs for 24 h. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated by the well-diffusion technique. The antioxidant effect was determined by DPPH and ABTS tests. According to the results of GC–MS analysis, 18 components were identified, including carvone (78.76%) and limonene (11.50%). UV–visible spectroscopy showed a strong absorption peak of 563 nm and 485 nm, indicating the formation of Au NPs and Ag NPs, respectively. TEM and DLS demonstrated that AuNPs and AgNPs were predominantly spherical shaped with average sizes of 19.61 nm and 24 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis showed that biologically active compounds such as monoterpenes could assist in the formation and stabilization of both types of NPs. Additionally, XRD provided more accurate results, revealing a nano-metal structure. Silver nanoparticles exhibited better antimicrobial activity against the bacteria than AuNPs. Zones of inhibition ranging 9.0–16.0 mm were recorded for the AgNPs, while zones of 8.0–10.33 mm were observed AuNPs. In the ABTS assay, the AuNPs and AgNPs showed a dose-dependent activity and synthesized nanoparticles exhibited higher antioxidant activity than MSEO in both assays. Mentha spicata essential oil can be successfully used for the green production of Au NPs and Ag NPs. Both green synthesized NPs show antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro cytotoxic activity.