Work

Utilization of Artocarpus altilis leaf extract for silver nanoparticle synthesis: Comparative antioxidant and antibacterial evaluation with water extract

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Biological methods with a green synthesis approach are now widely used because they are environmentally friendly, including in the synthesis of nanoparticles. This study aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using water extract from breadfruit leaves ( Artocarpus altilis ) and evaluate their antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The extract was prepared and analyzed for phytochemistry using LC-HRMS, and total phenols and flavonoids were measured. Synthesis of AgNP-breadfruit leaves extract (AgNP-BL) was carried out, followed by characterization using UV-Vis (λ = 444 nm), PSA (68.43 nm), FT-IR (O-H, C-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O groups), SEM (visible agglomeration of nanoparticles), EDX (dominant Ag 80.23%), XRD (cubic crystal structure), TEM (size 10–70 nm), and Zeta Potential (-45.6 mV). AgNP-BL exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis , with MICs of 7.8 and 15.6 µg/mL and MBCs of 15.6 and 31.2 µg/mL, respectively. In contrast, the water extract showed no antibacterial activity. For comparison, clindamycin had MIC and MBC values of 7.8 and 15.6 µg/mL for both bacteria, indicating that AgNP-BL had comparable efficacy to clindamycin against S. aureus but lower efficacy against S. epidermidis . Antioxidant testing using the DPPH method revealed that AgNP-BL had lower activity than the water extract, as indicated by its higher IC 50 value (428.19 ± 0.18 µg/mL vs. 157.36 ± 0.24 µg/mL). These results demonstrate that breadfruit leaf extract is an effective bioreducing agent for the green synthesis of AgNP, significantly enhancing antibacterial activity despite reducing its antioxidant potential.

Source: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.sajce.2025.06.013

Authors: Syukur Berkat Waruwu, Angel Permata Sari, Denny Satria, Effendy De Lux Putra, Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, Yeun-Mun Choo

Institutions: Universitas Sari Mutiara Indonesia, Universitas Sumatera Utara, University of Malaya

Language: English

Topic: Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $950