Functional properties of Averrhoa bilimbi L. aerial parts and silver nanoparticles synthesized using its fruit extract

Abstract

Averrhoa bilimbi has been demonstrating various health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties. However, this food crop remains under-utilized. In this study, ethanolic extracts of leaves, fruits, and flowers were evaluated for antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Further, a rapid and simple approach was applied for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using A. bilimbi fruit extract. Formulated silver nanoparticles were evaluated for their antimicrobial, α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant properties. Antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extracts of flesh, leaf and flower of A. bilimbi have shown higher antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition percentages in fruit extract than the extracts of leaves and flowers. Antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles show in DPPH assay inhibition percentages within the range of 6%-22% at the concentrations of 4-20 mg/L. Morphological characteristics of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were observed using scanned electron microscopy. Results revealed that A. bilimbi possesses antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Synthesized silver nanoparticles also possessing antimicrobial properties and this may be due to the new nanomaterials with photochemicals of A. bilimbi adsorbed to them.