<i>Chnoospora minima</i> Polysaccharide-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Potent Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities
2025
Lakshika Keerthirathna | Sachini Sigera | Milan Rathnayake | Arunoda Senarathne | Hiruni Udeshika | Chamali Kodikara | Narayana M. Sirimuthu | Kalpa W. Samarakoon | Mohamad Boudjelal | Rizwan Ali | Dinithi C. Peiris
Marine algae offer environmentally friendly platforms for green nanoparticle synthesis. This study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using polysaccharides isolated from the brown alga <i>Chnoospora minima</i> (PAgNPs) and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed algal polysaccharide functional groups. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis characterized the nanoparticles as spherical (~84 nm average size), stable (zeta potential −18.5 mV), and containing elemental silver without nitrogen. The PAgNPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity (~100% DPPH scavenging) and significant antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Candida</i> species. Crucially, PAgNPs displayed potent antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (A549, IC<sub>50</sub>: 13.59 µg/mL). In contrast, toxicity to normal Vero cells was significantly lower (IC<sub>50</sub>: 300.2 µg/mL), demonstrating notable cancer cell selectivity (SI 22.1). Moderate activity was observed against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC<sub>50</sub>: 100.7 µg/mL). These results demonstrate that <i>C. minima</i> polysaccharide facilitates the synthesis of biocompatible AgNPs with promising antimicrobial and selective anticancer capabilities, highlighting their potential for further development as nanotherapeutics.
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