Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in biomedical applications, however their toxicity is influenced by synthesis method and physicochemical properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of hesperidin mediated biosynthesised and chemically synthesised silver nanoparticles using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay. Biosynthesised nanoparticles were prepared using hesperidin as a reducing and stabilising agent, while chemically synthesised nanoparticles were produced using citrate reduction. Characterisation confirmed nanoparticle formation with surface plasmon resonance peaks at 420 nm (biosynthesised) and 410 nm (chemically synthesised) and particle sizes of 22.9 nm and 33.7 nm, respectively. Toxicity assessment revealed a concentration dependent increase in mortality of Artemia salina. Biosynthesised nanoparticles exhibited lower toxicity, with an LC50 value of 185.71 μg/mL, compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles, which showed higher toxicity with an LC50 of 83.95 μg/mL. Complete mortality (100%) was observed at 1000 μg/mL for both nanoparticle types. The results indicate that hesperidin mediated biosynthesised silver nanoparticles exhibit relatively lower cytotoxicity than chemically synthesised nanoparticles. The study highlights the importance of synthesis method in determining nanoparticle safety and supports the potential application of green synthesised nanoparticles in biomedical and veterinary fields.

Keywords : Silver nanoparticles, Hesperidin, Cytotoxicity, Biosynthesis, Artemia salina, LC50