Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity Using the Aqueous Extract of Pterodon emarginatus Seeds

The decline in research for new antimicrobials, combined with the rise in bacterial resistance, has become a critical issue that is expected to worsen over time. As an alternative, health sciences have integrated materials engineering to develop new bioactive compounds through the interaction of nanoparticles with plant-derived compounds. These compounds offer advantages such as high bioavailability and low cost, exemplified by <i>Pterodon emarginatus</i>, a plant native to the Brazilian Cerrado. This study aimed to synthesize and stabilize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of <i>Pterodon emarginatus</i> seeds and evaluate their antimicrobial activity against fungal (<i>Candida albicans</i>) and bacterial (<i>Escherichia coli</i>) strains. The synthesis of AgNPs was performed using the aqueous plant extract as a stabilizing agent, with formation confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, showing a characteristic absorbance peak at 400 nm. The resulting AgNPs were then tested for antimicrobial activity. While the aqueous extract of <i>P. emarginatus</i> alone showed no significant antimicrobial activity, the synthesized AgNPs demonstrated remarkable antifungal and antibacterial effects. These results highlight the synergistic interaction between the bactericidal properties of AgNPs and the bioactive compounds present in the plant extract. This approach offers a promising and sustainable alternative for the development of new antimicrobial agents, addressing the urgent need for effective solutions to combat microbial resistance.