Guava roots offer several health benefits, young scientist claims
PRAYAGRAJ: In addition to the fruit or leaves of guava, the plant’s roots come packed with many health benefits, according to a researcher here.
A young scientist from department of the chemistry at Naini-based Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) claims to have succeeded in carrying out green synthesis of silver nanoparticles prepared from the root extract of guavas (Psidium Guajava) that have proved effective as anti-diabetic agents and have also fought off bacterial infection. (A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges between 1 and 100 nanometres in size.
Undetectable by the human eye, nanoparticles can exhibit significantly different physical and chemical properties to their larger material counterparts).
“Green synthesis is an emerging area in various fields and provides economic and environmental benefits as an alternative to chemical and physical methods.
“In this method, nontoxic safe reagents, which are ecofriendly and biosafe, are used. This eco-friendly technique incorporates use of biological agents, plants or microbial agents as reducing and capping agents.
“Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), synthesised by green chemistry, offer a novel and potential alternative to chemically synthesised nanoparticles,” said Amrita Raj, a PhD scholar.
Working under the supervision of associate professor Reena Lawrence, Raj presented her work at an international conference on ‘Global Approaches in Natural Resource Management for Climate Smart Agriculture (GNRSA)–2021’ and bagged the ‘Young Scientist Associate Award’, along with ‘Best Oral Presentation Award’.
“The green synthesis of AgNPs has shown the best antidiabetic results with effective inhibition against carbohydrate digestive enzymes.
“It can be advantageous for heart health, benefit digestive system, aid in weight loss, besides being used for anti-cancer effect, and boosting immunity,” said Raj.
Diabetes mellitus has affected millions of people worldwide, including India, in the last few decades.
The rapidly developing field of various nanomaterials and nanodevices using AgNPs had increased the possibility of the early diagnosis and effective treatment, said associate professor Reena Lawrence, who oversaw the research.
“Nanotechnology is a discipline that is concerned with material characteristics at nano scale and offers novel techniques for disease detection, management and prevention. It is used as medicine and even has applications in drug industry and nano medicine drug delivery,” she explained.