In this study, a ‘green chemistry’ approach was introduced to synthesize silk sericin (SS)-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under an alkaline condition (pH?11) using SS as a reducing and stabilizing agent instead of toxic chemicals. The SS-capped AgNPs were successfully synthesized at various concentrations of SS and AgNO~(3), but the yields were different. A higher yield of SS-capped AgNPs was obtained when the concentrations of SS and AgNO~(3) were increased. The SS-capped AgNPs showed a round shape and uniform size with diameter at around 48 to 117?nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy result proved that the carboxylate groups obtained from alkaline degradation of SS would be a reducing agent for the generation of AgNPs while COO_(?) and NH~(2)? _(+) groups stabilized the AgNPs and prevented their precipitation or aggregation. Furthermore, the SS-capped AgNPs showed potent anti-bacterial activity against various gram-positive bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.008?mM) and gram-negative bacteria (MIC ranging from 0.001 to 0.004?mM). Therefore, the SS-capped AgNPs would be a safe candidate for anti-bacterial applications.
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