Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared from Pomegranate Peel Extracts and its Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

To investigate the efficiency of silver nanoparticles synthesized by the green method, and evaluate their antibacterial activity. The green method was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from silver nitrate salt, and pomegranate peel extract (P) as a reducing agent. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The UV–Vis spectra displayed a resonance peak at 386 nm, equivalent to P-Ag NPs, and the FT-IR spectra confirmed the association of biological molecules from the extract in the synthesis process. The SEM image data confirmed the round and circular nature of Ag NPs. The EDX data presented the elemental configuration with a solid peak at 65 KeV that matched the silver. The antibacterial study of the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated by the agar diffusion method. We examined the antibacterial activity of biologically medicated silver nanoparticles against microbial strains of E. coli. The findings indicate that different doses (5, 10, and 15 μg) of Ag NPs synthesized by silver nitrate aided by pomegranate peel extract demonstrate vigorous antibacterial activity against E. coli bacteria. At a dose of 5 μg, the inhibition zone was neglected, but at doses of 10, 15 μg there was significant bacterial growth inhibition around the Ag NPs. Bacterial growth was effectively inhibited by the Ag NPs produced.