Green synthesis of Ag–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles using fungal filtrates: unlocking multifunctional medical and environmental applications

The current investigation focuses on synthesizing Ag-Fe bimetallic nanoparticles (AgFe-BMNPs) using cell-free filtrates of the Gymnascella dankaliensis as a novel fungal reducing agent. The optical, morphological, and surface properties of these fungus-fabricated AgFe-BMNPs and their monometallic counterparts (AgNPs and FeNPs) were analyzed using sophisticated nanotechnology instruments. The UV-visible spectrum showed peaks at 231 nm and 415 nm for BMNPs and 450 nm and 386 nm for AgNPs and FeNPs, respectively. XRD diffractograms revealed crystallographic peaks at 32.96°, 35.32°, and 49.32° for AgFe-BMNPs with crystalline size of 10.68 nm. FTIR spectrum indicates peaks at 954 cm-1 (M-O bond) and 599 cm-1 (M-C\M-L bond). Agglomerated, spherical BMNPs with a mean size of 96.76 nm were spotted in SEM micrographs. The BMNPs were tested for anticancer and antibacterial activities, dye removal efficiency, and seed germination enhancement. The anticancer study found that AgFe-BMNPs hold promising potential for application in breast cancer therapy with a 1 μg mL-1 IC50 value. It also exhibited potent antibacterial activity with a 50 μg mL-1 concentration against Bacillus cereus,Serratia marcescens, Bacillus megaterium, and Staphylococcus aureus. A comparative batch adsorption study for methylene blue dye removal over 180 min showed removal capabilities of 89% for BMNPs. Different concentrations (0.02, 0.04, 0.08 mg mL-1) of BMNPs also demonstrated superior efficiency up to 90% enhanced seed germination at the 6 h mark and 91.87% enhanced water retention capacity in Vigna radiata. This research underscores the medical, environmental, and agricultural potential of AgFe-BMNPs, highlighting their multifaceted benefits in nanotechnology.