Antibacterial activity of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are gaining attention due to their enhanced application in various fields such as biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering, and water treatment. Significant antibacterial, anticancer, and cytotoxic activities shown by them enhance their potential for medical applications. Their synthesis is possible through chemical, physical, and biological means, but first two methods are time-consuming and costly. Chemical synthesis of AgNPs has major drawback, as through this method sometimes toxic chemical is released. Biological synthesis or green synthesis of AgNPs uses microorganisms or plant extracts as raw materials. Plants are considered as natural reservoir of diverse types of chemicals. As different plants have different types and concentrations of phytochemicals, therefore, AgNPs prepared from different plant sources display different properties of nanoparticles. Biological method is considered as cost-effective and eco-friendly, and less time is required in this method. The biosynthesized AgNPs are being characterized by different methods such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. AgNPs have shown significant inhibition activities against several bacterial and fungal strains. Their interactions with microbes cause structural damage to microbial cell wall, thus making it as potent and efficient alternative of antimicrobials. Therefore, handling of antibiotic resistance of several bacteria will be possible either by using AgNPs alone or in combination with antibiotics. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.