Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles loaded in bacterial cellulose obtained from mothers of vinegar: In situ photoreduction, characterization, and antibacterial activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known for their outstanding antimicrobial activity. However, most traditional methods used to synthesize silver nanoparticles require either the use of chemical reducing agents and activators that are highly polluting or that require investments in expensive equipment with high energy consumption. Thus, finding green, fast, and simple alternatives to synthesize silver particles for antiseptic purposes is important. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized in situ on a matrix of bacterial cellulose (BC) obtained from mothers of pineapple vinegar by a photoreduction reaction assisted by a sodium lamp that emitted yellow light (λ = 589 nm). BC-AgNP films were synthesized with AgNP concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm, and their antibacterial activity was evaluated; the results revealed that they inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by up to 100% and 95.6%, respectively.