Biofabrication of silver nanoparticles using Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves extract: Characterization and evaluation of its antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities

The escalating occurrence of antibiotic resistance has focused scientific investigation on the creation of alternative treatments. In this work, an environmentally benign and sustainable method of producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing an aqueous extract from Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves is reported. The study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of AgNPs against a range of pathogens, specifically Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The antioxidant activity of these AgNPs was also determined.

Methods

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was confirmed and characterized using a range of analytical methods. These methods included UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Laser Particle Sizer, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Broth microdilution method was used to assess their antibacterial activity. A free radical scavenging assay was used to determine their antioxidant activity.

Results

At 471 nm in wavelength, the AgNPs’ peak absorbance was measured. The AgNPs had an average size of 97.3 nm. AgNPs were found to have a face-centered cubic structure according to XRD measurements. The EDX analysis represented elemental silver (Ag⁰) at a concentration of 87.6 %. The synthesized AgNPs possessed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value of 35.16 μg/mL. The synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains, as evidenced by their low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values in the ranges of 62.5 to 125 μg/mL. Furthermore, the AgNPs demonstrated potent anti-biofilm properties, significantly decreasing the formation of biofilms. In addition to these promising antimicrobials, antibiofilm and antioxidant properties.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the environmentally friendly AgNPs that were synthesized have considerable potential as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents; they provide a sustainable substitute for addressing the issue of antibiotic resistance. Their possible application in clinical settings calls for further thorough research.