Eco‑friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles using ginger and garlic extracts as biocompatible novel antioxidant and antimicrobial agents

Ginger and garlic plants were used for the preparation of water and ethanolic extracts. The silver, copper, iron and zinc nanoparticles were eco-friendly synthesized using ginger and garlic extracts and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were evaluated. The growth of nanoparticles was complemented with characterization using TEM and UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of mono-dispersed metals nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles of ginger have the smallest particle size around 10.10–18.33 nm. The investigated samples were evaluated as antibacterial agents against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, Erwinia carotovora and Proteus vulgaris and as antifungal agents against C. albicans. The results of antimicrobial tests indicate that these nanoparticles possess significant activities compared to the results obtained by antibiotic standard. In addition, the total polyphenols, fractionation of phenols, flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography systems and antioxidant activity were evaluated.