The Impact of Pistacia khinjuk plant gender on silver nanoparticle synthesis: Are extracts of root obtained from female plants preferentially used?

Pistacia khinjuk, a dioecious plant native to Southeast Anatolia, Turkey, features distinct male and female individuals with varying bioactive compound profiles. This study investigates the gender-specific phytochemical composition of root extracts from male and female Pistacia khinjuk plants and their influence on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Using natural bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids as reducing and stabilizing agents, the study demonstrates significant differences between the nanoparticles synthesized from male and female root extracts. Female root extracts, with their higher polyphenolic content, produced silver nanoparticles that were smaller in size (150.1 nm) and more stable, as indicated by a zeta potential of -32.5 mV. In comparison, the silver nanoparticles synthesized from male root extracts were larger in size (213.8 nm) and exhibited a less negative zeta potential of -21.36 mV. Additionally, silver nanoparticles derived from female root extracts showed superior antioxidant activity and greater antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as reflected in larger inhibition zones. These findings highlight the potential of Pistacia khinjuk root extracts for sustainable nanoparticle synthesis and underscore the value of gender-specific bioactive compounds in advancing green technologies and biomedical applications.