Process Optimization for Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Acalypha godseffiana Leaves Extract and its Biological Activity Against MRSA
Article Sidebar
Views | PDF/EPUB Downloads:
90
/ 51
/ 37
Main Article Content
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat due to its multidrug resistance, complicating treatments in both human and veterinary medicine. The rising challenge of antimicrobial resistance necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies, including nanotechnology-based interventions. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized, optimized, and characterized using Acalypha godseffiana leaf extract, a medicinal plant native to Nigeria, serving as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Optimal synthesis was achieved using 1 mM AgNO₃ at 90 °C for 90 minutes with 1 mg/mL of plant extract. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed AgNP formation with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 432 nm. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical, well-dispersed particles with an average diameter of 37 nm. In comparison, X-ray diffraction revealed a face-centered cubic crystalline structure with a mean crystallite size of 29 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detected elemental silver with a prominent signal at 3.0–3.2 keV. A zeta potential of −57.5 mV indicated excellent colloidal stability. FTIR analysis identified functional groups such as O–H and C=O, suggesting phytochemical involvement in particle stabilization. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against MRSA, yielding a maximum inhibition zone of 20.78 mm, a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 625 µg/mL, and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1250 µg/mL. This study is the first to report the anti-MRSA activity of A. godseffiana-derived AgNPs, underscoring their potential as eco-friendly and effective antimicrobial agents against resistant pathogens.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
1 Douglas EJA, Wulandari SW, Lovell SD, Laabei M. Novel antimicrobial strategies to treat multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Microb Biotechnol. 2023; 16(7): 1456–1474.
2 Shariati A, Dadashi M, Chegini Z, Belkum A, Mirzaii M, Khoramrooz SS, Sarokhalil DD. The global prevalence of daptomycin, tigecycline, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci strains: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2020; 9(1): 1–20.
3 Malik S, Kursunoglu B, Boakye-Yiadom K, Decho AW, Ozturk T, Bilgili H, Duman F, Mamillapalli R, Tekinay T, Guler MO. Emerging applications of nanotechnology in healthcare: diagnostics, disease treatment, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and beyond. ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2023; 6(3): 1338-1371.
4 Nkosi NC, Basson AK, Ntombela ZG, Dlamini NG, Pullabhotla RVSR. Green synthesis and characterization of iron nanoparticles synthesized from bioflocculant for wastewater treatment: A review. Biotechnol Notes. 2025; 6: 10–31.
5 Patel RR, Singh SK, Singh M. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Methods, biological applications, delivery and toxicity. Mater Adv. 2023; 4(8): 1831–1849.
6 Osman AI, Zhang Y, Farghali M, Rashwan AK, Eltaweil AS, Abd El Monaem EM, Mohamed IMA, Badr MM, Ihara I, Rooney DW, Yap P. Synthesis of green nanoparticles for energy, biomedical, environmental, agricultural, and food applications: A review. Environ Chem Lett. 2024; 22(2): 1089–1136.
7 Yadav RK, Jangeer S, Parashar R, Sharma G, Meena P, Meena MK, Patel DD. A critical review on nanoparticles synthesis: Physical, chemical, and biological approaches. Int J Creat Res Thoughts. 2023; 11(10): 834–848.
8 Al-radadi NS. Laboratory scale medicinal plants mediated green synthesis of biocompatible nanomaterials and their versatile biomedical applications. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2022; 29(5): 3848-3870.
9 Baig N, Kammakakam I, Falath W, Kammakakam I. Nanomaterials: A review of synthesis methods, properties, recent progress, and challenges. Mater Adv. 2021; 2(6): 1821–1871.
10 Alharbi NS, Alsubhi NS, Felimban AI. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using medicinal plants: Characterization and application. J Radiat Res Appl Sci. 2022; 15(3): 109–124.
11 Ijaz I, Gilani E, Nazir A, Bukhari A. Detail review on chemical, physical and green synthesis, classification, characterizations and applications of nanoparticles. Green Chem Lett Rev. 2020; 13(1): 59–81.
12 Pirsaheb M, Salimi A, Jafari A, Sillanpää M, Fakhri Y, Khaneghah AM. Green synthesis of nanomaterials by using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024; 31(18): 24768–24787.
13 Shahzadi S, Fatima S, Ul Ain Q, Shafiq Z, Janjua MRSA. A review on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using plant extracts: A multifaceted approach in photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. RSC Adv. 2025; 15(6): 3858–3903.
14 Labulo AH, David OA, Terna AD. Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Morinda lucida leaf extract and evaluation of its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Chem Pap. 2022; 76(12): 7313–7325.
15 Santos TS, Silva TM, Cardoso JC, Albuquerque-Júnior RLC, Zielinska A, Souto EB, Severino P, Mendonça MDC. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by nanopesticides and toxicity. Antibiotics. 2021; 10(7): 1–13.
16 Kaabipour S, Hemmati S. A review on the green and sustainable synthesis of silver nanoparticles and one-dimensional silver nanostructures. Beilstein J Nanotechnol. 2021; 12(1): 102–136.
17 Asekunowo AK, Ashafa AOT, Okoh O, Asekun OT, Familoni OB. Polyphenolic constituents, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic potential of leaf extracts of Acalypha godseffiana from Eastern Nigeria: In vitro study. J Med Plants Econ Dev. 2019; 3(1): 1–9.
18 Mokaizh AAB, Gharib FA, Al-Yahyai R, Al-Saidi B, Al-Lawati Y, Al-Barwani HM. Extraction and characterization of biologically active components from Commiphora gileadensis leaves. Processes. 2024; 12(8): 1567–1585.
19 Kavaz D, Umar H, Shehu S. Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antimetastatic activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Ficus ingens leaf. Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol. 2019; 46(S3): S1193–S1203
20 Olubodun SO, Eriyamremu GE, Ayevbuomwan ME, Nzoputa CI. In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical analyses of Acalypha godseffiana (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extracts. Niger J Nat Prod Med. 2021; 25(1): 75–79.
21 Khanal LN, Sharma KR, Paudyal H, Parajuli K, Dahal B, Ganga G, Pokharel YR, Kalauni SK. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from root extracts of Rubus ellipticus Sm. and comparison of antioxidant and antibacterial activity. J Nanomater. 2022; 2022: 1–11.
22 Karuppannan P, Saravanan K, Ashokkumar M, Egbuna C. Preparation of bio-synthesized Ag nanoparticles and assessment of their antidiabetic and antioxidant potential against STZ-induced diabetic albino rats. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2024; 35(5): 535–558.
23 Bernardes LMM, Malta SM, Santos ACC, Silva RA, Rodrigues TS, Silva MNT, Bittar VP, Borges ALS, Justino AB, Nossol ABS, Martins MM, Espíndola FS, M-Silva AP, U-Vieira C. Green synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles from water-soluble fractions of Brazilian kefir. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 1–18.
24 Hawar SN, Al-shmgani HS, Al-kubaisi ZA, Sulaiman GM, Dewir YH, Rikisahedew JJ. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Alhagi graecorum leaf extract and evaluation of their cytotoxicity and antifungal activity. J Nanomater. 2022; 2022: 1–8.
25 Panda MK, Dhal NK, Kumar M, Mishra PM, Behera RK. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their potential effect on phytopathogens. Mater Today Proc. 2021; 35(2): 233–238.
26 Moteriya P, Chanda S. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles formation from Caesalpinia pulcherrima stem metabolites and their broad spectrum biological activities. J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2018; 16(1): 105–113.
27 Parvekar P, Palaskar J, Metgud S, Maria R, Dutta S. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus. Biomater Investig Dent. 2020; 7(1): 105–109.
28 Sulthana RN, Rajanikanth A. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using seed extract of Foeniculum vulgare and their antibacterial activity. Int J Curr Res Biosci Plant Biol. 2018; 5(7): 77–83.
29 Mfon RE, Deshi JJ, Al Amri Z, Madugu JS. Biochemical synthesis, characterization, and electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles on a gold substrate. J Niger Soc Phys Sci. 2022; 4(3): 1–6.
30 Mardiyanto M, Apriani EF, Heylken FP. The role of temperature and pH in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Areca catechu L. seed extract as bioreductor. Farmacia. 2023; 71(2): 244–253.
31 Utami YP, Yulianty R, Djabir YY, Alam G. Green synthesis, optimization and characterization of carrot extract silver nanoparticles. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2023; 8(12): 5955–5961.
32 Wang Y, Wei S. Green fabrication of bioactive silver nanoparticles using Mentha pulegium extract under alkaline: an enhanced anticancer activity. ACS Omega. 2022; 7(2): 1494–1504.
33 Kumar I, Gangwar C, Yaseen B, Pandey PK, Mishra SK, Naik RM. Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the formation of silver nanoparticles by nicotinamide as a reducing agent. ACS Omega. 2022; 7(16): 13778–13788.
34 Aliero AS, Hammawa H, Usman AS, Aliero MS, Raji AH, Umar IA, Alhassan AM, Aliero AA. Harnessing palm oil mill effluent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: optimization via response surface methodology and assessment of antibacterial activity. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater. 2025; 35(9): 3580–3596.
35 Mishra AK, Tiwari KN, Saini R, Kumar P, Mishra SK, Yadav VB, Nath G. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. and assessment of its antioxidant, antimicrobial response. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater. 2020; 30(6): 2266–2278.
36 Sneha KD, Sarika SP, Tejonmayi S, Phatake YB, Sneha GM, Shivanjali SD, Marathe RJ, Deshmukh RB, Dharmadhikari SM. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using stem, leaves, and fruits extracts of umber (Ficus racemosa). Int J Pharm Investig. 2020; 10(3): 312–319.
37 Soshnikova V, Kim YJ, Singh P, Huo Y, Markus J, Ahn S, Castro-Aceituno V, Mathiyalagan R, Yang DC. Cardamom fruits as a green resource for facile synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles and their biological applications. Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol. 2018; 46(1): 108–117.
38 Erdogan O, Abbak M, Demirbolat GM, Birtekocak F, Aksakal O, Pasa S. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles via Cynara scolymus leaf extracts: The characterization, anticancer potential with photodynamic therapy in MCF7 cells. PLoS One. 2019; 14(6): 1–15.
39 Jeon YN, Ryu SJ, Lee HY, Kim JO, Baek JS. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using black mulberry and characterization, phytochemical, and bioactivity. Antibiotics. 2024; 13(8): 1–14.
40 Vanlalveni C, Lallianrawna S, Biswas A, Selvaraj M, Changmai B, Rokhum SL. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts and their antimicrobial activities: A review of recent literature. RSC Adv. 2021; 11(5): 2804–2837.
41 Velidandi A, Dahariya S, Pabbathi NPP, Kalivarathan D, Baadhe RR. A review on synthesis, applications, toxicity, risk assessment, and limitations of plant extracts for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. NanoWorld J. 2020; 6(3): 35–60.
42 Keskin Seyhan Aslan C, Baran MF, Baran A, Eftekhari A, Adıcan MT, Ahmadian E, Arslan S, Mohamed AJ. Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Anchusa officinalis: Antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential. Int J Nanomedicine. 2025; 20(4): 4481–4502.
43 Faisal NH, Obaid NA, Ali NW, Al-Shawi AA, Ibrahim RG, Hassan AN, Kadhum AJ, Mohsein OA, Luaibi IN. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the seeds of Lupinus luteus: characterization and assessment of the antibacterial and anticancer activities. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2025; 26(9): 3405-3414.
44 Khalil MMH, Ismail EH, El-Baghdady KZ, Mohamed D. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using olive leaf extract and its antibacterial activity. Arab J Chem. 2014; 7(6): 1131–1139.
45 Asefian S, Ghavam M. Green and environmentally friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial properties
from some medicinal plants. BMC Biotechnol. 2024; 24(1): 1–22.
46 Hlapisi N, Songca SP, Ajibade PA. Morphological and structural properties of silver/chlorargyrite nanoparticles prepared using Senecio madagascariensis leaf extract and interaction studies with bovine serum albumin. MRS Adv. 2024; 9(10): 830–836.
47 Halilu EM, Ngweh VA, Airemwen CO. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Parinari curatellifolia methanol stem bark extract and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2023; 7(3): 2498–2505.
48 Castañeda-Aude JE, Morones-Ramírez JR, De Haro-Del Río DA, León-Buitimea A, Barriga-Castro ED, Escárcega-González CE. Ultra-small silver nanoparticles: A sustainable green synthesis approach for antibacterial activity. Antibiotics. 2023; 12(3): 1–13.
49 Jamila T, Lucky E, Eli D. Preparation and characterization of high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells with silver nanoparticles in nanocomposite photoanode. J Niger Soc Phys Sci. 2020; 2(1): 7–11.
50 Chandrasekaran M, Chinnaiyan U, Sivaprakasam S, Paramasivam S. Biogenic synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using a combined leaf extract for antibacterial and biofilm inhibition properties. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2025; 9(3): 1089–1096.
51 Labulo AH, David OA, Terna AD. Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Morinda lucida leaf extract and evaluation of its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Chem Pap. 2022; 76(12): 7313–7325.
52 Hossain MR, Biplob AI, Sharif SR, Bhuiya AM, Sayem ASM. Antibacterial activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles of Lablab purpureus flowers extract against human pathogenic bacteria. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2023; 7(8): 3647–3651.
53 Anuar AHH, Ghafar SAA, Lim V, Pazli NFAM, Hanafiah RM. Critical evaluation of green synthesized silver nanoparticles-kaempferol for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Nanomedicine. 2024; 19: 1339–1350.