Green Process Synth 2016; 5: 101–106 *Corresponding author: Ahmed El-Ghorab, Faculty of Science, Chemistry Department, Al Jouf University, Al-Jawf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, e-mail: aghorab21@yahoo.com Hira Munir, Muhammad Shahid and Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Fozia Anjum: Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan Sayed M. Badawy: Faculty of Science, Chemistry Department, Al Jouf University, Al-Jawf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; and Faculty of Medicine, National Center for Clinical and Environmental Toxicology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt Hira Munir, Muhammad Shahid, Fozia Anjum, Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar, Sayed M. Badawy and Ahmed El-Ghorab* Application of Acacia modesta and Dalbergia sissoo gums as green matrix for silver nanoparticle binding DOI 10.1515/gps-2015-0064 Received August 9, 2015; accepted November 23, 2015; previously published online January 28, 2016 Abstract: A low-cost, efficient, and ecofriendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using gums as reducing agent was performed. The obtained nano- particles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the prepared nanoparticles was tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bac- teria. The in vitro toxicity was evaluated by performing hemolytic analysis. The mutagenic activity was evaluated using Ames test. The prepared nanoparticles possessed high antibacterial potential and also inhibited the biofilm formation. Under the conditions of this study, it is con- cluded that the prepared AgNPs were nontoxic and non- mutagenic and possessed pharmaceutical applications. Keywords: Acacia modesta; Dalbergia sissoo; green matrix; gums; silver nanoparticles. 1 Introduction Nanosilver is highly commercialized nanomaterial being produced approximately 320 tons a year [1]. Because of its strong antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in household water filters, cosmetics, clothing, detergents, shoes, laptop keyboards, cutting boards, anti- bacterial sprays, and respirators [2]. Many techniques in synthesizing AgNPs, such as the chemical reduction of silver ions in aqueous solutions, have been reported in the literature. Most of these methods are extremely expensive and also involve the use of toxic, hazardous chemicals, which may pose potential environ- mental and biological risks [3, 4]. There is a growing need to develop environment-friendly processes for nanoparti- cle synthesis, which do not use toxic chemicals [4]. The gum of Acacia modesta is present in the form of angular fragments or small tears and vermiform. It is a translucent and yellow color gum [5]. A. modesta is used as miswak (chewing sticks) in many parts of Pakistan. The fruits, leaves, wood, and bark are mostly used for medici- nal, fuel, and timber purposes. It is effective against chronic stomach disorders, gastric troubles, and dental diseases [6]. The gum is also used as a tonic and to cure dysentery [7]. Dalbergia sissoo has many medicinal properties and is used as an abortifacient, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, anti- pyretic, and expectorant [8]. The extracts from different parts were reported as anti-inflammatory [9], analgesics [10], and antidysentric [11]. It is used in conditions such as ulcers, emesis, dysentery, leucoderma, skin diseases, and stomach troubles. D. sissoo is antidiarrheal, as it affects bacterial virulence. The aim of the present study was the synthesis of AgNPs using gums as green matrix followed by their char- acterization, antibacterial, hemolytic, and antimutagenic activities. 2 Materials and methods 2.1 Materials The A. modesta and D. sissoo gum was purchased from a local mar- ket in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and was identifed at the Department of Botany (Dr. Mansoor Hameed, Associate Professor/Taxon), Uni- versity of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Davis-Mingioli salt (5.5 times concentrated), D-glucose (40%, w/v), bromocresol purple (2 mg/ml), D-biotin (0.1 mg/ml), and L-histidine (0.1 mg/ml). The two