# Green Synthesis of Silver-Decorated Zinc-Based Nanostructures Mediated by Russula sanguinea and Their Biofunctional Properties

## TL;DR

This paper explores using a wild mushroom to create silver-decorated zinc nanostructures with improved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

## Contribution

A novel green synthesis method using Russula sanguinea to produce silver-decorated zinc nanostructures with enhanced biofunctional properties.

## Key findings

- Ag–ZnNSs/Rs nanoparticles were predominantly spherical with an average diameter of 19.36 ± 7.89 nm.
- The nanostructures showed significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than the crude mushroom extract.
- The nanostructures exhibited antimicrobial activity against multiple bacteria and yeast strains.

## Abstract

The green synthesis of nanomaterials using biological resources has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical routes. In this study, the wild ectomycorrhizal mushroom Russula sanguinea (Rs) was employed as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent for the biosynthesis of silver-decorated zinc-based nanostructures (Ag–ZnNSs/Rs). The formation and physicochemical properties of the nanostructures were systematically characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and EDX analysis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with good dispersion, and quantitative analysis of 227 individual particles demonstrated an average diameter of 19.36 ± 7.89 nm (range: 10.92–61.00 nm). FT-IR analysis confirmed the involvement of fungal biomolecules in metal ion reduction and surface stabilization, indicating effective bio-capping of the nanostructures. The biofunctional performance of the biosynthesized Ag–ZnNSs/Rs was evaluated through antioxidant and antimicrobial assays. Compared to the crude mushroom extract, the nanostructures exhibited significantly enhanced 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 7.29 ± 0.10 mg mL−1 compared to 13.66 ± 0.15 mg mL−1 for the crude extract. In addition, notable antimicrobial activity was observed against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as the yeast Candida albicans. Overall, this study demonstrates that Russula sanguinea is an effective biological platform for the green synthesis of silver-decorated zinc-based nanostructures with improved biofunctional properties, highlighting the potential of wild mushrooms as underexplored resources in sustainable nanomaterial development.