Gelatin Assisted Green Synthesis of Silver Ferrite Nanoparticles Using <i>Capparis Cartilaginea</i> Extract for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract In this study, Capparis cartilaginea extract was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent to perform an eco‐friendly synthesis of gelatin‐coated silver ferrite nanoparticles (GAgFeO 2 ). The nanoparticles had a crystallite size of approximately 25 nm and were characterized via X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The BET analysis revealed that the gelatin coating results in GAgFeO 2 having a slightly lower specific surface area (22.87 m 2 /g), than AgFeO 2 had. AgFeO 2 exhibited a moderate stability with a zeta potential of −17.5 mV, while GAgFeO 2 showed a higher zeta potential of −23.8 mV, indicating stronger electrostatic repulsion and enhanced colloidal stability. Antimicrobial tests revealed that GAgFeO 2 had a 26 mm inhibition zone against MRSA, a 14 mm zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and a 16 mm zone against Salmonella Typhimurium , outperforming uncoated AgFeO 2 nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GAgFeO 2 against Candida albicans was 0.062 mg/mL was lower than that of AgFeO 2 , indicating an enhanced antifungal potential. These results demonstrate the superior antimicrobial efficacy of GAgFeO 2 nanoparticles as well as their application potential in medical and environmental fields.