Phytochemical-Assisted Green Synthesis of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles Using Cichorium Intybus Extract for Enhanced Medical Cotton Fabrics

Ghiniwa, Aya Ibrahim; Zahran, Magdy K.; El Rafie, Hanaa; Ayad, Eman; Abdelaziz, Mohamed; Mohamed, Tamer Samy

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2025.369657.11482

Phytochemical-Assisted Green Synthesis of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles Using Cichorium Intybus Extract for Enhanced Medical Cotton Fabrics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Ain-Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt.

³ National Research Center

⁴ Helwan University

⁵ National research Center

⁶ Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Institute, Korniash El-Nile, 12411 Warrak El-Hadar, Giza, Egypt.

10.21608/ejchem.2025.369657.11482

Abstract

This study evaluates antimicrobial cotton fabrics functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) leaf extract. The eco-friendly synthesis leveraged phytoconstituents as dual reducing and stabilizing agents. Characterization via UV-vis spectroscopy (λmax=400 nm) and TEM confirmed spherical AgNPs (4.5–10.9 nm), while SEM-EDX verified uniform coating on cotton. The AgNP-cotton demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (25 mm inhibition zone), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (23 mm), fungal Candida albicans (25 mm), and Aspergillus niger (21 mm), attributed to AgNP-induced membrane disruption and ROS generation. Phytochemical analysis identified flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids with high concentrations (128.17 mg RE/g flavonoids; 459.94 mg GAE/g phenolics). Antioxidant assays revealed strong radical scavenging (IC50: 9.21 µg/mL ABTS; 17.14 µg/mL DPPH). This sustainable integration of phytochemicals and nanotechnology presents eco-friendly antimicrobial textiles with potential for medical applications, such as wound dressings and hospital linens, offering alternatives to conventional treatments.

Keywords