Green synthesized silver nanoparticles from Moringa: Potential for preventative treatment of SARS-CoV-2 contaminated water

Ebunoluwa, OB, Bello, AJ ORCID: 0000-0002-6731-2047, Ayorinde, RO, Onyejepu, N, Shaibu, JO, Adewole, AR, Adewole, AO, Adedeji, OA, Akinnusi, OO, Oladapo, OB ORCID: 0009-0009-3562-7587, Popoola, TS, Arotiba, OM, Minari, JB, Adams, LA, Okpuzor, J and Shittu, MO ORCID: 0000-0002-7136-0308 (2025) Green synthesized silver nanoparticles from Moringa: Potential for preventative treatment of SARS-CoV-2 contaminated water. Plos One, 20 (12 D). ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Biogenic silver nanoparticles have been reported as good antimicrobial candidates. In this study, we synthesized and characterized silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (AgNPmo) and investigated their antimicrobial and antiviral activities. The AgNPmo demonstrated antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with concentration-dependent zones of inhibition ranging from 6.5–15.5 mm and 0–7 mm, respectively. Cytotoxicity was assessed on Vero cells using a CCK-8 assay, which revealed an IC50 value of 38 µg/ml, indicating relatively low toxicity at effective concentrations. The antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed using quantitative RT-PCR: AgNPmo exposure led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in Ct values for ORF1ab and N genes, with the strongest inhibition observed after 48 h. These results provide direct evidence of both antimicrobial and antiviral activity. The green synthesis using Moringa extracts offers added advantages by employing phenolic and flavonoid compounds as natural reducing and capping agents, making the process eco-friendly and biocompatible. While direct wastewater treatment was not tested, these findings highlight the advantages of Moringa leaf extract as a natural reducing and capping agent that enabled rapid, eco-friendly AgNP formation, while the resulting AgNPmo demonstrated antimicrobial and antiviral activity. Thus, AgNPmo represents a promising, sustainable option for point-of-use disinfection and potential environmental water treatment.”.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Vero Cells; Animals; Humans; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; Moringa; Moringa oleifera; Plant Leaves; Silver; Plant Extracts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Water Purification; Metal Nanoparticles; Green Chemistry Technology; Pandemics; Betacoronavirus; Chlorocebus aethiops; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Metal Nanoparticles; Silver; Chlorocebus aethiops; Animals; Vero Cells; SARS-CoV-2; Antiviral Agents; Plant Extracts; Green Chemistry Technology; Plant Leaves; COVID-19; Moringa oleifera; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Betacoronavirus; Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Water Purification; Humans; Moringa; Pandemics; 31 Biological Sciences; 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; 3106 Industrial Biotechnology; Bioengineering; Emerging Infectious Diseases; Infectious Diseases; 5.1 Pharmaceuticals; 6 Clean Water and Sanitation; Metal Nanoparticles; Silver; Chlorocebus aethiops; Animals; Vero Cells; SARS-CoV-2; Antiviral Agents; Plant Extracts; Green Chemistry Technology; Plant Leaves; COVID-19; Moringa oleifera; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Betacoronavirus; Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Water Purification; Humans; Moringa; Pandemics; 3206 Medical Biotechnology; 31 Biological Sciences; 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; Nanotechnology; Coronaviruses; Bioengineering; Infectious Diseases; Prevention; Emerging Infectious Diseases; 2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment; 5.1 Pharmaceuticals; Infection; General Science & Technology
Subjects:	R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date of acceptance:	27 November 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	15 January 2026
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2026 15:10
Last Modified:	15 Jan 2026 15:10
DOI or ID number:	10.1371/journal.pone.0338800
Editors:	Salem, SS
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27918

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