Green Synthesis and Antioxidant Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles from Goji Leaf Polysaccharides

This study reports the environmentally friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (LBP-AgNPs) using polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum L. leaves as reducing agents. The synthesis was conducted through a green chemistry approach, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals. The structural properties of LBP-AgNPs were analyzed using a combination of UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These techniques confirmed that the nanoparticles were well-dispersed, monodisperse, and crystalline, with sizes ranging from 10 to 80 nm. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of LBP-AgNPs were evaluated using DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging assays, which demonstrated significant free radical inhibition. The results suggest that LBP-AgNPs hold promise for various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, wound healing, and antioxidant therapies.