Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-020-01549-y COMMUNICATION Rapid Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ethiopian Cactus Pear Fruit Peel Infusions and Evaluation of Its In Vitro Clinical Potentials M. Kamaraj 1,2  · T. G. Nithya 3  · P. Santhosh 3  · Kidist Mulugeta 1 Received: 8 March 2020 / Accepted: 16 April 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract In the current study, the Ethiopian cactus pear fruit peel infusions were used as a phytoreducing agent to fabricate silver nano- particles (CPFP-AgNPS). The formation of AgNPS in 7 min was confrmed by Ultra UV–Vis spectral portrait. The average size range (20–60 nm), the composition of silver element and crystal structure of the CPFP-AgNPS was established by trans- mission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectra and X-ray difraction analysis respectively. The CPFP-AgNPS exhibited greater inhibition (81.92%) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay. The antibacterial activity of CPFP-AgNPS was high in the order against E.coli > Salmonella spp. > Bacillus spp. > Pseudomonas spp. > Staphylococcus spp. respectively. The CPFP-AgNPS also showed efective anticancer activity against human cervix epithelioid carcinoma cell lines with an IC 50 value of 74.26 ± 0.25 µg mL −1 /24 h. In short, the fndings highlighted the efectiveness of CPFP-AgNPS on potential therapeutic applications. Keywords Green chemistry · Functional material · Nanoparticles · Pharmacology 1 Introduction Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are receiving a unique focus on nanotechnology research due to their wide range of appli- cations in medicine, catalysis, optics. Phytochemical medi- ated synthesis of AgNPS is a green approach (safe and eco- friendly) to replace the chemical reductants, which are used in the traditional chemical reduction process and reduces their hazards towards the environment. Several plants and plants based materials are tested as a substrate for the syn- thesis of Ag-NPs due to their reduction potential and simple scale-up process [1]. Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) are grouped under the Cactaceae family, which is locally known by the vernacular name of “Belles” in Ethiopia [2]. Cactus pear wastages can be very well harnessed and it is one of the most important productive plants per unit of a cultivated feld. The exploitation of the non-edible part of this fruit as a cheap source of substrate for AgNPs synthesis applications is an evolving movement that entails an imperative reduction in the generation of waste. Furthermore, it reconnoiters the efciency of cactus pear fruit peel (CPFP) on useful avenues. Compared with other methods, plant infusion mediated synthesis of nanoparticles is promising in favor of eco- friendly, immediacy, and high efciency [3]. So, the fnd- ing of new plant sources for nanoparticle synthesis is still in search. Hence, the current study aimed (i) to synthesize AgNPs using Ethiopian CPFP as a reducing agent, (ii) to characterize the phytosynthesized AgNPs, (iii) to evaluate their therapeutic property (antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer) under in vitro conditions. * M. Kamaraj drkamarajm@gmail.com 1 Department of Biotechnology, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, 16417 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2 Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, 16417 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3 Department of Biotechnology, FSH, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India