Functional properties of <em>Averrhoa bilimbi </em>and green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using its fruit extracts

Abstract

Averrhoa bilimbi is an underutilized crop possessing remarkable health benefits. The current investigation is based on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of aerial parts of the crops. Additionally, silver nanoparticles synthesis using ethanolic extract of the fruit of A. bilimbi was performed. Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles were performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were also evaluated. Results revealed that the leaf extract of A. bilimbi has shown significantly higher (p< 0.05) phenolics (261.58 mg GAE/ g DW), carotene (2.4357mg/g DW), antioxidant capacity (309.75±1.57mg AAE/g DW), anti-diabetic properties (α-amylase inhibition-21.41%) and anti-inflammatory properties (heat-induced hemolysis inhibition-15.29%) compared with its fruits and flower extracts. SEM images showed a size range of 400nm and the shape of nanoparticles is polyhedral. In FTIR spectrum, the major peaks were observed at 3272.37cm-1 to 2852.43cm-1 and 1739.23 cm-1 to 1034.04 cm-1. In addition, the A. bilimbi-based silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial properties against tested E. coli. In conclusion, A. bilimbi may possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties and the synthesized silver-nanoparticles also show antimicrobial properties.