The diversity of plant species found in Indonesia offers significant opportunities for bioprospecting in the field of bionanotechnology. Plants are highly potential agents for nanoparticle biosynthesis because they contain metabolites that act as reducing agents and capping agent for the biosynthesis process of silver nanoparticles (NP Ag).
Plants are more effective nanoparticle synthesizers than other organisms. This is due to their ease of acquisition and extraction in large quantities. However, the use of other biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi, or algae, requires large amounts of biomass and special maintenance conditions. In the biosynthesis of Ag NPs, bioactive compounds from plants with antioxidant activity, such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids, are strongly suspected to act as reducing agents.
With this background, Windri Handayani conducted research in her doctoral studies on the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles as antibacterial agents with low toxicity. This multidisciplinary research encompasses biology, physics, and chemistry. Overall, the study encompasses studies related to plant physiology, natural product chemistry, materials science physics, and microbiology.
At the online promotion hearing for the FMIPA UI biology doctoral study program on Thursday (6/1/2022), Windri successfully defended her dissertation entitled BIOPROSPEKSI Diospyros spp. (Ebenaceae) FOR THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND ITS APPLICATION AS ANTIBACTERIAL MATERIAL in front of the examination hall.
Through his dissertation, he explained that the biosynthesis method was chosen because it utilizes biological agents as an environmentally friendly source of reducing agents.
The research he conducted directly explored the use of extracts of 4 types Diospyros spp. in the biosynthesis process of silver nanoparticles.
“This group of plants has not been widely explored in terms of its potential uses and is part of the bioprospecting of natural plant resources, especially regarding the utilization of their bioactive compounds,” explained Windri in her presentation to the examining team.
Nanoparticle biosynthesis itself is a method that can be used to produce nanoparticles that are target-specific, controlled, and have multifunctional capabilities, such as as catalysts in the chemical field, as antimicrobial materials in the health field, as sensor materials in the environmental field, and also in the agricultural field as nano-fertilizer.
“Therefore, developing this method can minimize the use of toxic and hazardous chemicals, and utilizing bioactive compounds from plants is an interesting research focus,” he said.
He further explained that the biosynthesis process requires parameter adjustments to obtain nanoparticles with effective and optimal bioactivity. Plant preparation processes, such as extraction and characterization of plant extracts, are necessary to identify the bioactive compounds involved in nanoparticle biosynthesis.
According to him, the use of biological agents in nanoparticle synthesis opens up opportunities for bioprospecting and utilizing natural biological resources. Plant resources still offer many opportunities for development.
One of them is the potential of plant extracts with certain bioactivities, whether as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and currently under development, namely as a synthesizing agent for nano-sized materials or for the functionalization of nano-materials.
Another use is to suppress the increase in resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to existing drugs and antibiotics.
He hopes that the results of his research can be a recommendation for the development of science related to the utilization of natural resources and phytochemical bioprospecting of diverse species. Diospyros spp., study of bioactive compounds, and their utilization for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles as antibacterial materials with low toxicity levels, as well as other potential applications.
Windri’s success in pursuing education and research in this Doctoral study program cannot be separated from the guidance of Dede Djuhana, Ph. D. as promoter, and Dr. rer. nat. Yasman, M. Sc., and Aminah, Ph.D. as Co-promoters.
