Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) have Antibacterial Effects

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles are particles of silver with a size of 1 to 100 nm. These agents have various applications and particularly have received much attention for their antibacterial activity and their use in vaccine production. Among the various methods of synthesizing nanoparticles, using plants due to their high reducing capabilities and also their eco-friendliness is of interest. Methods: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using plant anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and validated using UV-spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The produced AgNPs were used against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis to examine their antibacterial activities via agar well diffusion, disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. Furthermore, AgNPs were used in combination with three antibiotic disks, namely, Ceftriaxone, Tetracycline and Gentamicin to seek any cooperative effect. Results: Antibacterial effects due to the synthesized AgNPs were observed toward E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhimurium in this order; however, E. faecalis showed the highest resistance to the synthesized AgNPs. Conclusion: AgNPs synthesized using anise had similar antibacterial effects as conventional antibiotics; however with potentially less side effects.