Gelatin Assisted Green Synthesis of Silver Ferrite Nanoparticles Using Capparis Cartilaginea 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 (GAgFeO₂). 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 GAgFeO₂ having a slightly lower specific surface area (22.87 m²/g), than AgFeO₂ had. AgFeO₂ exhibited a moderate stability with a zeta potential of −17.5 mV, while GAgFeO₂ showed a higher zeta potential of −23.8 mV, indicating stronger electrostatic repulsion and enhanced colloidal stability. Antimicrobial tests revealed that GAgFeO₂ 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 AgFeO₂ nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GAgFeO₂ against Candida albicans was 0.062 mg/mL was lower than that of AgFeO₂, indicating an enhanced antifungal potential. These results demonstrate the superior antimicrobial efficacy of GAgFeO₂ nanoparticles as well as their application potential in medical and environmental fields.