Characterization and Antibacterial Response of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using an Ethanolic Extract of Coccinia indica Leaves

Abstract

The present study was planned to characterize and analyze the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) biosynthesized using a Coccinia indica leaf (CIL) ethanolic extract. The present study included the preparation of CIL ethanolic extract using the maceration process, which was further used for AgNP biosynthesis by silver nitrate reduction. Biosynthetic AgNPs were characterized using UV–Visible spectrometry, zeta potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. The biogenic AgNP and CIL extracts were further investigated against different bacterial strains for their antimicrobial activity. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signal at 425 nm confirmed AgNP formation. The SEM and TEM data revealed the spherical shape of biogenic AgNPs and size in the range of 8 to 48 nm. The EDX results verified the presence of Ag. The AgNPs displayed a zeta potential of −55.46 mV, suggesting mild AgNP stability. Compared to Gram-positive bacteria, the biogenic AgNPs demonstrated high antibacterial potential against Gram-negative bacteria. Based on the results, the current study concluded that AgNPs based on CIL extract have strong antibacterial potential, and it established that AgNP biosynthesis using CIL ethanol extract is an effective process.