Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome and Rhus semialata fruit and their antibacterial activity.

[Display omitted] • A greener, cost-effective, ecological and simple method to synthesize AgNPs has been demonstrated in this work. • Phytochemical content evaluated, which may act as a reducing and capping agent for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. • The morphology and characterization of the biosynthesized AgNPs were carried out using FTIR, UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED and EDX studies. • Anti-bacterial study suggested that the AgNPs have the potential for biomedical applications. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been reported in this study using the Ethanol extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome and Rhus semialata fruit found in Nagaland, India. The black solid phase obtained after the termination of the reaction was collected as the synthesized AgNPs which were then characterized through FT-IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED and EDX studies. XRD studies revealed the nanocrystalline phase and cubic structure of the synthesized AgNPs. The particle size of the synthesized AgNPs ranged from 10.732 nm to 34.927 nm with an average diameter of 17.625 nm for Alpinia galanga extract and 10.264 nm to 16.441 nm with an average diameter of 7.289 nm for Rhus semialata extract. The phytochemical screening and FT-IR spectra revealed the presence of carbohydrate, flavonoid, phenol, protein, and tannin. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs was also investigated in vitro showing a comparable activity against Bacillus subtilis , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus. Maximum inhibition was shown by AgNPs of Rhus semialata extract against Bacillus subtilis with an inhibition zone of 15 mm. The antibacterial study showed promising results for their possible application in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]