Eco-friendly Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Toona Sureni (Blume) Merr. Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Its Antibacterial Activity Against Selected Clinical Isolates

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are renowned for their potent antimicrobial potential against a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria. The robustness of this reaction can be attributed to the particles' limited dimensions and expansive surface region. The term "green synthesis" in the context of nanomaterials refers to the creation of nanoparticles from varied metals using bioactive compounds, including plant substances. In this current investigation, the ethanolic leaf extract of Toona sureni (TSELE) has been employed for the inaugural application in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. It functions as a reducing, stabilizing and capping agent. A primary focus of this study was to assess the antibacterial capabilities of these biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (referred to as TSELE-AgNPs) against a selection of microorganisms, namely Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Analytical instruments including the UV-VIS spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM-EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were enlisted to perform a comprehensive analysis of the AgNPs. The antibacterial potency of the synthesized AgNPs was subsequently determined. The peak absorbance of the AgNPs was registered at a wavelength of 460 nm. An average size of 64.2 nm was recorded for the AgNPs, and a Polydispersity Index (PI) score of 0.357 was obtained, suggesting the particles were largely monodisperse. XRD data revealed that TSELE-AgNPs exhibited a face-centered cubic structure, with the mean crystallite size corresponding to a measurement of 5.01 nm. Demonstrating potent antibacterial activity, the AgNPs depicted Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values spanning from 62.5 to 250 mu g/ml against the selected clinical isolates. The study effectively illustrates the streamlined synthesis of AgNPs using TSELE in the capacity of a bioreductor, stabilizer, and capping agent in an alternative green synthesis method. Moreover, the research sheds light on the exhibited antibacterial efficacy by the synthesized AgNPs.