Innovative Approach to Water Purification Using Silver Nanoparticles

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes a severe disease known as Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Since early 2020, this virus has spread around the world, leading to over 775 million cases and more than 7 million deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency in January 2020. The impacts of COVID-19 have led to many studies aimed at finding ways to reduce how the virus spreads. One important but often overlooked way the virus can spread is through water contaminated with human waste that contains the virus. Research shows that the virus can survive in water for up to seven days at room temperature.

SARS-CoV-2 has been found in wastewater, which raises concerns about the potential for the virus to be transmitted through contaminated water. This includes wastewater from hospitals, cruise ships, and planes that have not been handled properly. It is important to find ways to address this problem, as water bodies can be a hidden source of virus transmission. This study aims to find a cost-effective solution to remove SARS-CoV-2 from water, which could help slow down the spread of the disease.

#Silver Nanoparticles and Their Uses

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are tiny particles of silver that have unique properties. They are smaller and behave differently than bulk silver. Because of their size and characteristics, they are widely used as antimicrobial agents, meaning they can kill bacteria and viruses. Studies have shown that silver nanoparticles can effectively combat various types of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.

The effectiveness of silver nanoparticles comes from their small size and large surface area, which helps them move through cell membranes to the target sites. This movement can lead to toxic effects in living cells at low concentrations. Therefore, making these nanoparticles through eco-friendly methods provides safe alternatives for treating infections.

This study focuses on using silver nanoparticles made from Moringa Oleifera, a plant known for its health benefits, as a disinfectant for water infected with SARS-CoV-2. The leaves of Moringa oleifera contain compounds that have antioxidant and Antibacterial effects, making them useful in combating infections. These compounds also help in the creation of silver nanoparticles, making them attractive for use as safe and low-cost antimicrobial agents.

#Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles

In this study, silver nanoparticles were successfully created using Moringa oleifera leaf extracts, and several tests were performed to analyze their properties. First, visual changes in the mixture indicated that silver nanoparticles were formed, changing color from yellowish to dark brown. The presence of nanoparticles was confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, which showed a characteristic peak that is typical for silver nanoparticles.

Further tests, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), showed the different compounds present in the Moringa extract that helped produce the silver nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) helped look at the shape and size of the nanoparticles, confirming that they had a varied shape and size but still maintained their effectiveness. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the crystalline structure of the particles, indicating that the nanoparticles were stable.

#Antibacterial Activity

To confirm the effectiveness of the silver nanoparticles, tests were conducted to see how well they could kill bacteria. Clinical bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used for the tests. The results showed that the silver nanoparticles were effective at killing bacteria, with larger doses leading to greater antibacterial activity.

These findings confirm that silver nanoparticles disrupt the bacterial cell membranes, preventing growth and replication. This aligns with other research showing that silver nanoparticles can inhibit bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner, leading to cell breakdown and death.

#Cytotoxicity Assay

After confirming that the silver nanoparticles killed bacteria effectively, the study evaluated their safety on living cells. Specifically, Vero cells, which are commonly used in laboratory studies, were treated with the nanoparticles to determine a safe concentration. The results showed a dose-dependent effect where higher doses affected cell viability. The IC50 value, which indicates the concentration at which 50% of cells are inhibited, was found to be relatively low, suggesting that the nanoparticles are safe for use as they do not harm human cells significantly.

#Antiviral Activity Testing

The study also aimed to test the effectiveness of the silver nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2. To do this, a quantitative PCR (qPCR) test was used, which is a common method to detect the presence of viral RNA in samples. The silver nanoparticles were mixed with samples containing the virus and incubated over a set period.

As time passed, the results showed that the nanoparticles had a positive impact on reducing the virus's effectiveness. Specifically, the test results indicated that the presence of silver nanoparticles increased the cycle threshold (Ct) values. Higher Ct values suggest that there is less viral load in the sample, meaning the nanoparticles were effectively inhibiting the virus.

Overall, these results are promising, indicating that the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles can reduce the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in water without being toxic to living cells. This suggests that silver nanoparticles created from Moringa oleifera could be an effective and safe method for cleaning contaminated water.

#Conclusion

This study demonstrated that silver nanoparticles made from Moringa oleifera leaves can effectively inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus and kill harmful bacteria. The nanoparticles showed promise as a low-cost and less toxic alternative for treating contaminated water. The findings could have significant implications for public health, particularly in efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 through water bodies. Further research may build on these findings to develop practical applications for these nanoparticles in water purification and infection control strategies.

#Materials and Methods

#Plant Material Preparation

Fresh Moringa oleifera leaves were collected and cleaned thoroughly. A mixture of the leaves and deionized water was prepared and heated in a microwave until a yellow-green color appeared. After cooling, the mixture was filtered to obtain the leaf extract for further use.

#Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

The silver nanoparticles were produced by mixing the leaf extract with a silver nitrate solution. The mixture was microwaved for a short period, and the color change indicated that nanoparticles had formed. The resulting nanoparticles were purified through centrifugation.

#Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles

The properties of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were analyzed using various techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR to determine the functional groups and composition. The morphology and size were examined using SEM, while XRD was used to confirm the crystalline structure.

#Antibacterial Testing

The antibacterial activities of the silver nanoparticles were assessed using clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Tests involved measuring the zones of inhibition to determine the effectiveness of different concentrations.

#Cytotoxicity Testing

To assess the safety on living cells, Vero cells were exposed to varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles. The cell viability was determined using a commercial assay to find the IC50 value.

#Antiviral Testing

The antiviral activity was measured by mixing the silver nanoparticles with viral samples and using qPCR to assess the viral load over time. The increase in Ct values indicated the effectiveness of the nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2.