Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Corymbia ptychocarpa Extracts: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitates the development of alternative antimicrobial agents. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts offers a promising, eco-friendly approach to address this challenge. This study investigates the synthesis of AgNPs using leaf and stem extracts of Corymbia ptychocarpa and evaluates their antibacterial potential. The green synthesis method produced spherical AgNPs ranging from 15-40 nm, confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity of these AgNPs was assessed against six pathogenic bacterial strains using the well diffusion method. Results demonstrated significant dose-dependent antibacterial effects, with stem-mediated AgNPs exhibiting superior efficacy compared to leaf-mediated AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs showed particularly strong activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris, approaching the efficacy of conventional antibiotics in some cases. This research highlights the potential of C. ptychocarpa-derived AgNPs as effective antimicrobial agents, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional antibiotics and paving the way for further exploration of plant-based nanomaterials in combating bacterial infections.