Phytogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Lepidium sativum: Characterization and evaluation of its antibacterial potential

In this study, an eco-friendly approach was used to successfully synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Lepidium sativum aqueous leaf extract. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), and zeta potential analysis were used for the characterization of synthesized AgNPs. UV-vis spectroscopy shows a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 436 nm. FTIR spectroscopy confirms the stability and biomolecules involved in the synthesis and reduction of silver ions (Ag+). The XRD pattern confirms the crystalline nature of AgNPs with an average crystallite size of 10.10 nm. FESEM-EDX confirms the spherical morphology and presence of a high composition of elemental silver (88.7 wt%). A strong antibacterial effect against various pathogenic strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes, with zones of inhibition ranging from (12.00 ± 0.10), (18.13 ± 0.10), (10.03 ± 0.10), and (17.00 ± 0.10), was shown by the synthesized AgNPs. These results validate the stable synthesis of L. sativum-mediated AgNPs, which can provide promising antibacterial properties against multidrug-resistant pathogenic strains, making them promising candidates for future use in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, especially in the development of novel antibacterial agents.