Investigation of the use of metal nanoparticles synthesized from the fruit and seeds of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) in terms of food safety

Nanotechnology is opening new horizons in many industrial fields today, including the food industry. Metal nanoparticles (MeONP) synthesized using nanotechnological methods are effectively used in various fields. In this study, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized using the green synthesis method from the fruits and seeds of three different varieties of the black cherry (Prunus laurocerasus L.) plant: wild (YK), cypress (SK), and cherry (KK). The biological activities of these nanoparticles and their use in food safety were determined. Using a digital refractometer to determine the dry matter content, iron nanoparticles (FeONP), silver nanoparticles (AgONP), and copper nanoparticles (CuONP) were synthesized from black mulberry fruit extracts using (FeCl3.6H2O, FeSO4), (AgNO3), and (CuSO4.5H2O) solutions, respectively. The characterization of NPs was determined using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Additionally, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), toxin removal, and antimicrobial analyses were conducted. In MeONPs, the highest value of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) was observed in SK-AgONPs (74506.94±6942.01 µg AA/g), while the lowest was in YK-FeONPs (12152.94±558.82 µg AA/g). In MeONPs, the TFC value was found to be highest in KK-AgONPs (209870.37±666.87 µg GAE/g) and lowest in YK-FeONPs (5689.58±419.65 µg GAE/g). In the adsorption of patulin and HMF, AgONPs showed high values. AgONPs have shown a strong antimicrobial effect against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria compared to CuONPs. In FeONPs, however, no antimicrobial effect against bacteria was detected.