BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF SILVER NANOPARTCLES CONTAINING EUPHORBIA TITHYMALOIDES EXTRACT

This study aimed to develop a green and sustainable method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the leaf extract of Euphorbia tithymaloides and to evaluate their structural and antimicrobial properties. The plant’s rich phytochemical profile, including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, acted as natural reducing and stabilizing agents, facilitating an eco-friendly synthesis process. Leveraging the plant’s traditional medicinal applications in wound healing, inflammation, and skin infections, this approach integrates ethnobotanical knowledge with modern nanotechnology to produce bioactive nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized AgNPs was performed using UV-Visible spectroscopy for confirmation of formation, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups involved in reduction and stabilization, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to assess particle size, shape, and distribution. The antimicrobial efficacy of the biosynthesized AgNPs was tested against various bacterial and fungal strains using agar well diffusion assays, demonstrating concentration-dependent inhibition zones. The results highlight the potential of Euphorbia tithymaloides-mediated AgNPs as effective, eco-friendly antimicrobial agents, providing a promising strategy to address microbial resistance while promoting sustainable nanotechnology.