Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles from Arctium lappa leaves against Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using an extract derived from Arctium lappa leaves, serving as both a reducing agent and stabilizer. This method proved to be rapid, environmentally friendly, and feasible at room temperature. The synthesized AgNPs were subjected to UV-vis spectrophotometry analysis, revealing a distinct peak at 422 nm, confirming the presence of silver nanoparticles. The spherical morphology of these nanoparticles was determined through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), displaying an average diameter of 40 nm. Moreover, the AgNPs obtained from the A. lappa leaf extract showcased notable antifungal capabilities, effectively impeding the growth of Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria. This study successfully demonstrated the potential of A. lappa leaf extract as an efficient and eco-friendly medium for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. These nanoparticles not only exhibited distinctive characteristics, as revealed by UV-vis spectrophotometry and microscopy techniques, but also displayed significant antifungal activity.