Green Synthesis of TiO₂ and Ag/TiO₂ Nanoparticles Using Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum Extracts for Potential Dental Applications

Rebecca Álvarez Arceo¹, Esteban Hernández Guevara¹, Judith Lerma Sevilla¹, Adolfo Neftalí García-Barrón¹ and Fernanda Araiza-Verduzco^1,

¹Faculty of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Tijuana, Mexico

Cite this paper:
Rebecca Álvarez Arceo, Esteban Hernández Guevara, Judith Lerma Sevilla, Adolfo Neftalí García-Barrón and Fernanda Araiza-Verduzco. Green Synthesis of TiO₂ and Ag/TiO₂ Nanoparticles Using Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum Extracts for Potential Dental Applications. American Journal of Nanomaterials. 2025; 13(1):7-11. doi: 10.12691/ajn-13-1-2

Abstract

Green nanotechnology provides sustainable alternatives for synthesizing functional materials with biomedical potential. This study reports the green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles using aqueous extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary, RO) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove, CL) as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation, with TiO₂ showing its characteristic absorption band and Ag/TiO₂ composites exhibiting a bathochromic shift indicative of Ag–TiO₂ interactions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed predominantly spherical nanoparticles, averaging ~165 nm for TiO₂ and ~96 nm for Ag deposits, while energy-dispersive spectroscopy verified elemental composition. Antibacterial assays demonstrated markedly enhanced activity of Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposites compared to TiO₂ alone, with effective inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, although lower efficacy was observed against Enterococcus faecalis. Interestingly, TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized with CL extracts exhibited selective antibacterial effects, while RO-based coatings appeared to reduce antimicrobial performance. The combined bioactivity of plant-derived phytochemicals and Ag/TiO₂ nanostructures highlights a synergistic approach for developing biocompatible, eco-friendly antibacterial agents. These results suggest that RO- and CL-mediated Ag/TiO₂ nanocomposites hold promise as adjunctive materials in restorative dentistry, particularly for pulpotomy applications where antibacterial efficacy is essential.

Keywords:
Dioxide titanium nanoparticles silver nanoparticles antibacterial properties

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Verma V, Al-Dossari M, Singh J, Rawat M, Kordy MGM, Shaban M.,“A Review on Green Synthesis of TiO2 NPs: Photocatalysis and Antimicrobial Applications”,Polymers, 14(7).1444. 2022.
[2]	Asif, M.; Yasmin, R.; Asif, R.; Ambreen, A.; Mustafa, M.; Umbreen, S., “Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), Structural Characterization, and their Antibacterial Potential”,Dose-Response, 20 (2). 15593258221088709. 2022
[3]	Odaudu, O. R.; Akinsiku, A. A., “Toxicity and Cytotoxicity Effects of Selected Nanoparticles: A Review”,IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1054 (1), 012007. 2022.
[4]	Khan, M. R.; Urmi, M. A.; Kamaraj, C.; Malafaia, G.; Ragavendran, C.; Rahman, M. M., “Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with its bioactivity, toxicity and environmental applications: A comprehensive literature review”, Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 20. 100872. 2023.
[5]	Gronwald, B.; Kozłowska, L.; Kijak, K.; Lietz-Kijak, D.; Skomro, P.; Gronwald, K.; Gronwald, H. “Nanoparticles in Dentistry—Current Literature Review”,Coatings, 13(1). 102. 2023.
[6]	Yazdanian, M.; Rostamzadeh, P.; Rahbar, M.; Alam, M.; Abbasi, K.; Tahmasebi, E.; Tebyaniyan, H.; Ranjbar, R.; Seifalian, A.; Yazdanian, A., “The Potential Application of Green-Synthesized Metal Nanoparticles in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review”, 2022(1). 2311910. 2022.
[7]	Mansoor, A.; Khan, M. T.; Mehmood, M.; Khurshid, Z.; Ali, M. I.; Jamal, A., “Synthesis and Characterization of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles with a Novel Biogenic Process for Dental Application”,Nanomaterials, 12(7). 1078. 2022.
[8]	Yassaei, S.; Nasr, A.; Zandi, H.; Motallaei, M. N., “Comparison of antibacterial effects of orthodontic composites containing different nanoparticles on Streptococcus mutans at different times”,Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics,25 (2). 52-60. 2020.
[9]	Veenstra, J. P.; Johnson, J. J., “Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Health-promoting benefits and food preservative properties”, International Journal of Nutrition Sciences, 6 (4). 1-10. 2021.
[10]	Tomas, A.; Maroyi, A.; Cheikhyoussef, N.; Hussein, A. A.; Cheikhyoussef, A., Chapter 37 - Health-promoting activities of clove (Syzygiumaromaticum) extracts, In Clove (Syzygiumaromaticum),Chemistry, Functionality and Applications, Elsevier, Saudi Arabia. 2022, 619-637.
[11]	Rajput, P.; Dasgupta, S.; Chakraborty, M.; Nandwani, S.; Hajoori, M., “Green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) using leaf extract of datura innoxia”, International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences,8(3).1086-1092. 2018.
[12]	Muñoz-Carrillo, M. G.; Garcidueñas-Piña, C.; Valerio-García, R. C.; Carrazco-Rosales, J. L.; Morales-Domínguez, J. F., “Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from the Opuntia ficus-indica Fruit and Its Activity against Treated Wastewater Microorganisms”, Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020 (1). 6908290. 2020.
[13]	Leong, K.; Gan, B.; Ibrahim, S.; Pichiah, S., “Synthesis of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) triggered Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst for degradation of endocrine disturbing compound”, Applied Surface Science, 319. 128-135. 2014.
[14]	Wasim A.; Rony Mia.; Sultan U.; Mohammed A.; Jian ., “Simultaneous synthesis and application of TiO2 nanoparticles using mulberry leaves for functionalization of organic cotton fabric”,Journal of Cleaner Production, 440. 140939. 2024.
[15]	Shuaixuan Ying, Zhenru Guan, Polycarp C. Ofoegbu, Preston Clubb, Cyren Rico, Feng He, Jie Hong, “Green synthesis of nanoparticles: Current developments and limitations”,Environmental Technology & Innovation,26.102336. 2022.
[16]	Hammad, A.; Anzai, A.; Zhu, X.; Yamamoto, A.; Ootsuki, D.; Yoshida, T.; El-Shazly, A.; Elkady, M.; Yoshida, H., “Photodeposition Conditions of Silver Cocatalyst on Titanium Oxide Photocatalyst Directing Product Selectivity in Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with Water”, Catalysis Letters, 150. 1-8.2020.
[17]	Leong, K. H.; Gan, B. L.; Ibrahim, S.; Saravanan, P., “Synthesis of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) triggered Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst for degradation of endocrine disturbing compounds”,Applied Surface Science, 319. 128-135. 2014.
[18]	Serov DA, Gritsaeva AV, Yanbaev FM, Simakin AV, Gudkov SV. “Review of Antimicrobial Properties of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles”, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(19). 10519. 2024.
[19]	Jun Li, Changzhu Li, Ce Shi, Javad Aliakbarlu, Haiying Cui, Lin Lin, “Antibacterial mechanisms of clove essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus and its application in pork”, International Journal of Food Microbiology, 380.109864. 2022.
[20]	Helmlinger, J.; Sengstock, C.; Groß-Heitfeld, C.; Mayer, C.; Schildhauer, T. A.; Köller, M.; Epple, M., “Silver nanoparticles with different size and shape: equal cytotoxicity, but different antibacterial effects”, RSC Advances, 6 (22). 18490-18501.2016.
[21]	Weng, S., Zhao, X., Liu, G. “Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity in dark and in vitro cytocompatibility of Ag-incorporated TiO2 microspheres with high specific surface area”, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 29 (50). 2018.
[22]	Nguyen, V. T.; Vu, V. T.; Nguyen, T. H.; Nguyen, T. A.; Tran, V. K.; Nguyen-Tri, P., “Antibacterial Activity of TiO2- and ZnO-Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles” Journal of Composites Science, 3(2). 61. 2019.