Carnivorous plants used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity

In this study, we exploit the anti-oxidative potential of four carnivorous plants to produce uniform and biologically active silver nanoparticles. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone promoted synthesis of quasi-spherical nanoparticles characterized by stability and high uniformity. Their activity was tested against three human pathogens and three species of plant pathogenic bacteria. The study demonstrates the influence of synthesis method (microwave irradiation or heat radiation) and plant extract composition on nanoparticle activity. The total anti-oxidative potential of the plant extract, as well as the applied method of silver ions reduction proved to be crucial for antimicrobial activity. The highest minimal bactericidal concentration (mean value = 10 µg/mL) was obtained for silver nanoparticles synthesized with the use of water extract from Dionaea muscipula tissue.