Facile green synthesis and biological evaluation of biogenic silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Alchornea laxiflora leaf

Abstract

We report on the facile synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora for threefold applications in antibacterial screening, tyrosinase inhibition and photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye solution experiments. Silver nanoparticles of an average size range of 20–52 nm and of spherical morphologies were obtained. The nanoparticles showed localized surface resonance bands within the range of 424 − 435 nm. The results of photocatalytic degradation experiment depict rapid photo-inspired degradation of 86% of the dye solution in less than a min and at a reaction rate of 0.136 min−1. The silver nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus compared to the precursors. Complementary, dose-dependent tyrosinase inhibition activity with IC50 of 20.83 µg/mL and a competitive mode of inhibition was confirmed for the antityrosinase experiment involving the silver nanoparticles.