Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using neem and turmeric extract and its antimicrobial activity of plant mediated silver nanoparticles

Introduction

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained attention for being environmentally friendly and cost-effective. This study investigates the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using neem and turmeric extracts, which serve as natural reducing and capping agents, with a focus on characterizing these nanoparticles and assessing their antimicrobial properties against oral pathogens.

Materials and methods

Neem and turmeric extracts were prepared by heating their powdered forms in distilled water, followed by filtration. The extracts were then mixed with a silver nitrate solution, and the reaction was stirred for 24–48 h. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, SEM, EDAX, and XRD analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against four oral pathogens using the agar well diffusion method.

Results

Successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by a color change and characterization analyses. UV–Visible spectroscopy showed a peak at 440 nm, indicating nanoparticle formation. SEM revealed spherical and uniform nanoparticles, while EDAX confirmed the presence of silver. XRD analysis showed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, with sizes ranging from 4 nm to 14.81 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus species, but were less effective against Candida albicans.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of neem and turmeric extracts in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, which exhibited notable antimicrobial activity. This research underscores the potential of plant-mediated synthesis for developing eco-friendly antimicrobial agents.