Green Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles from Capparis Spinosa Leaf Extract

The current study reports the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Capparis spinosa leaf extract acting as a capping and reducing agent. The characterization of AgNPs was confirmed using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Visible), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The plant extract used reduces Ag+ into AgNPs within a few minutes as indicated by the changed color, from yellow to reddish-brown. The UV-vis spectrum of AgNPs appeared a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 400-450 nm. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the role of plant extract as a reducing and capping agent of silver ions. The spectra of FTIR revealed a broad transmission peaks from 3412 to 617 cm-1. An EDX analysis signal at 3 keV and weight 65.38% showed the peak to be in the silver region, a fact which was confirmed by the presence of elemental silver. Under TEM, the nanoparticles were seen to be spherical, with an average particle size of 13 nm. AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against S.epidermidis, S. aureus, MRSA and E. coli. The inhibition zones for S.epidermidis and S. aureus were 8 to 10 mm, while MRSA is 7 to 10 mm. The inhibition zone of E. coli was higher at 10 to 13 mm.