Crystalline Silver Nanoparticles by Using Polygala tenuifolia Root Extract as a Green Reducing Agent

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant global health threat.
• Conventional chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) involves toxic chemicals, limiting biomedical applications.
• There is a need for eco-friendly and biocompatible methods for AgNP synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an eco-friendly approach.
• To characterize the synthesized AgNPs.
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity of AgNPs against various bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Green synthesis of AgNPs using 70% aqueous ethanol extract of Polygala tenuifolia root.
• Characterization using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, HR-TEM, AFM, XRD, and FTIR.
• Antibacterial activity testing against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Results:

• AgNPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance band at 414 nm.
• HR-TEM and AFM confirmed spherical and irregular AgNP shapes with an average diameter of approximately 15-18 nm.
• XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of AgNPs.
• AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Escherichia coli.

Conclusions:

• Polygala tenuifolia root extract can be effectively used for the green synthesis of AgNPs.
• The synthesized AgNPs are biocompatible, cost-effective, and scalable.
• This method provides a promising alternative for developing AgNP-based antibacterial agents to combat drug-resistant infections.