Antibacterial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Piper betle L. Leaf Extract

Abstract

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using herbal plants has gained much attention due to their potential widespread applications, especially in biomedical application to control pathogenic microbes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of synthesized AgNPs using aqueous leaf extract of Piper betle L., an important medicinal plant. The AgNPs were identified by UV-Visible spectrometry (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The presence of surface plasmon band around 420-460 nm indicated AgNPs formation. Spherical nature, unique size-distribution and crystal structure of the AgNPs with diameter around 10-20 nm were affirmed by TEM and XRD analyses. The FTIR measurements showed the presence of bioactive compounds in the extract responsible for the efficient reduction of silver ions and stabilization of the AgNPs. The results from the antimicrobial assays suggested that the biosynthesized AgNPs were potent against pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.