Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Moringa oleifera-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention due to their remarkable antimicrobial properties and biomedical applications. Aim: This study aimed to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract and evaluate their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Green synthesis of AgNPs was achieved using M. oleifera aqueous leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-VIS Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Antibacterial activity was determined using agar well diffusion method. Results: UV-VIS spectral study revealed that Moringa oleifera-Silver nanoparticles (MO-AgNPs) exhibited absorption band in the range of 267 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles with characteristic peaks at 2θ ≈ 30.31°, 38.16°, 44.30°, and 64.50° corresponding to face-centered cubic silver. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl, amine, and carbonyl compounds involved in nanoparticle reduction and stabilization. SEM micrographs showed MO-AgNPs were spherical with an average of 50-60 nm Antibacterial activity revealed that the synthesized M. oleifera-AgNPs exhibited inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa with an inhibition zone diameter of 13 mm, which was higher than that of ciprofloxacin (11 mm). Conclusion: The findings indicates that Moringa oleifera-silver nanoparticles possess promising antibacterial potential and may serve as eco-friendly alternative antimicrobial agents for biomedical applications.