<i>Artemisia absinthium</i>-based silver nanoparticles antifungal evaluation against three <i>Candida</i> species

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a bio-reduction green method through the mixing of silver nitrate and the aqueous extract of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) at five different ratios. The acquired nanoparticles (A. absinthium-Ag NPs) were characterized and their antifungal activity was tested against three species of potentially pathogenic yeasts of the Candida genus. The nanoparticles were polydisperse, with a size range between 2–80 nm. An organic matrix surrounding the nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectra of nanoparticles presented bands associated with functional groups of compounds such as artemisinin and α-bisabolol, present in the organic matrix. ICP-OES results yielded a decreasing trend in the total silver ions concentration as the silver nitrate diminished. The antifungal tests showed that four of the five batches of A. absinthium-AgNPs presented antifungal effects. MIC and MFC values were lower than the usually reported for Ag nanoparticles synthesized with other reducing and stabilizing agents. Thus, the bioactive compounds of wormwood synergistically enhanced the antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticles. These results suggest the potential of A. absinthium-AgNPs against some pathogenic yeasts of the Candida genus.