Synthesis and characterization of silver nanomaterial from aqueous extract of Commelina forskaolii and its potential antimicrobial activity against Gram negative pathogens

Aim: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from medicinal plants have been progressively acquiring attractiveness to the researchers due to its sustainable nature, nontoxic and economically beneficial. The present study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous extract of Commelina forskaolii Vahl and exhibit its potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Material and Methods: The whole plant of Commelina forskaolii was used to synthesize AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs was then characterized by UV - visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The AgNps are widely tested for antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic property. Results: The phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, steroids, glycosides and proteins. The UV - vis absorption spectrum exhibited key peaks at 425 nm. FTIR spectrum revealed that the biochemical compounds are responsible for the reduction and capping material of AgNPs. SEM analysis showed, the average size of synthesized AgNPs ranged from 18 to 27 nm. TEM micrographs revealed that the particle size was to be 30-40 nm. The AgNPs exhibited potential antimicrobial activity against bacterial species (Enterococcus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) showed MIC at about 62.5 mu g/ml and 125 mu g/ml respectively and fungal species (Candida albicans and Aspergilus niger) 250 mu g/ml and 31.2 mu g/ml respectively. The synthesized AgNPs showed potential cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) with the IC50 value of 50.2 mu g/ml. The present investigation concludes the effectiveness of confirmed AgNPs might be used in pharmacological field for the treatment of bacterial, fungal and breast cancer. (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).