Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Rivea ornate choisy Leaf Extract with Antimicrobial Activity Assessment

Nanotechnology is a rapidly advancing field that involves the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale. In recent years, "green" synthesis methods have gained popularity for nanoparticle production due to their eco-friendly and sustainable nature. This study presents a green synthesis approach for the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the leaf extract of Rivea ornata choisy, widely used as a medicinal plant. The objective of this study was to explore the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs synthesized from the leaves of Rivea ornate choisy. The formation of AgNPs was indicated by a noticeable color change in the silver nitrate solution upon addition of the plant extract. This change was further confirmed through UV-Visible spectroscopy, showing characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks in the range of 425–475 nm. The nanoparticles were then separated via centrifugation and subjected to further characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed distinct diffraction peaks corresponding to the (111), (200), (220), (222), and (311) planes, confirming the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs. (24 nm) The antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs was evaluated by using the standard disc diffusion method. Antibacterial activity was tested against two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp.) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Proteus sp.). Antifungal activity was assessed against Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Fusarium sp., and Penicillium sp. Statistical analysis revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher degree of antifungal and antibacterial activity against all tested fungi and bacteria. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Rivea ornata choisy leaf extract proved excellent antimicrobial activity. These findings highlighted the potential of Rivea ornata-mediated AgNPs as effective antimicrobial agents, paving the way for future applications in biomedicine and sustainable nanotechnology.