Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Aqueous Leaf Extract of 'Selaginella bryopteris' and Elucidation of its Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Background: Biosynthesis of nanoparticles from aqueous leaf extract of ‘Selaginella bryopteris’ is a green chemistry approach and is considered to be one of the most efficient methods as it is devoid of toxic chemicals as well as provides natural capping agents for the stabilization of synthesized nanoparticles. ‘S.bryopteris’ also known as ‘Sanjeevani’ (in India), is thought to be prospective natural resource that possesses extraordinary pharmaceutical potential. Objective: S. bryopteris is exclusively native to India and has already been known for its expression of stress-associated genes and high levels of protective metabolites of sugars, phenolic compounds, and polyols. Its potential as an antibacterial agent is being elucidated. Methods: Different leaf extract volumes, silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentrations, and reaction time were investigated separately and the optimal conditions for the synthesis of AgNPs were suggested. The resulting AgNPs were characterized by various techniques like Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and XRay Diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial assays were carried out by using both agar disk and well diffusion method. Results: The AgNPs synthesized in this process were found to have efficient antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial efficacy of S. bryopteris was consciously tried on uropathogenic Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and Bacillus megaterium (Gram-positive bacteria) which have the self-limiting food poisoning potential along with opportunistic uropathogenic bacterial strains namely Proteus mirabilis (Gram-negative bacteria) and a non-pathogenic Micrococcus luteus (Gram-positive bacteria) for comparison. Conclusion: S. bryopteris mediated silver nanoparticles’ synthesis is attempted for being cost-effective, eco-friendly and safe for human therapeutics.