Investigation of silver nanoparticles obtained from Prunus domestica (green plum) extract in choriometric sensor applications

The use of silver nanoparticles in the biomedical field depends on their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The green plum is rarely used in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. In this study, silver nanoparticles of 170±20 nm in size were synthesized using an environmentally friendly method with green plum. The silver nanoparticles were used as a sensor in a colorimetric sensor system to investigate their interactions with heavy metal ions, due to their surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties. Mercury entering the human body through water sources can cause neurological damage, immune system disorders, and adverse effects on reproductive health. Additionally, long-term exposure may lead to memory loss and behavioral changes. The established system specifically responded to Hg2+ ions, and the resulting color changes were monitored both visually and with a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. A linear calibration curve for the system (y=0.0003x+0.0128, R2=0.9156) was obtained, with LOD and LOQ values of 15.07 μM and 49.73 μM, respectively. The colorimetric sensor system was tested in real systems, and the recovery rates were found to be 93.4% in seawater, 97.2% in drinking water, and 98.4% in tap water. The findings demonstrate the potential biological properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized with green plum extract and their effectiveness even at low concentrations, indicating that they provide an easily applicable measurement technique for detecting mercury in water sources.