Eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Aloysia citrodora leaf extract and evaluations of their bioactivities

In view of their ease of synthesis, stability, functionalization, and low toxicity, biological processes are the excellent choice for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). There is potential for NPs in alleviating plant diseases where these nano-sized materials are an ecological alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. Herein, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Aloysia citrodora and were characterized using UV/Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The phytochemicals involved in metal ion bioreduction are being identified through Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR). The ensued AgNPs were evaluated for anti-oomycete and antifungal activity against Pythium aphanidermatum, Paecillomyces formosus, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini, Macrophumina phaseolina, and Botrytis cinerea, wherein they exhibited strong inhibition of the mycelial growth. These findings demonstrated that green AgNPs have the potential to protect plants against phytopathogens under field conditions.