Wedoany.com Report on Feb 10th, Researchers from the College of Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman have developed an environmentally friendly method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. This method combines gamma irradiation with natural seaweed extract iota-carrageenan, offering a new pathway for the preparation of antimicrobial materials.
This research was conducted by Mon Bryan Gili, Wendell Manuel, Dr. Marienette Vega, Dr. Marlon Conato, and collaborators from the University of South Florida. They utilized gamma radiation to replace traditional chemical reagents, while employing iota-carrageenan as a stabilizer, effectively reducing the use of hazardous substances.
Gili explained: "The radiation is responsible for inducing particle formation, while the seaweed extract ensures particle stability and safety. Subsequently, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of these particles against common bacteria." Compared to conventional methods, this technology avoids the use of strong reducing agents and stabilizers, lowering processing difficulty and potential risks.
Gamma radiation also serves a sterilization function during the synthesis process, providing an additional advantage for applications in the medical field. Gili added: "This method reduces processing steps and chemical waste, making the final product safer for humans and the environment." The research team stated that antibiotic resistance issues and environmental protection needs were the main driving forces behind the development of this technology.
Currently, the team is working to improve the long-term stability of the silver nanoparticles. They plan to test them in actual products and further evaluate their safety for human use. Gili stated: "We hope to utilize the Philippines' natural resources and nuclear science expertise to develop cost-effective, locally produced antimicrobial materials."
The related research findings have been published in the journal *Radiation Physics and Chemistry*, in a paper titled "Antimicrobial evaluation of radiation-synthesized silver nanoparticles using iota-carrageenan stabilizer."
