Phytomediated
biofabrication of silver nanoparticles derived from Athyrium filix-femina and their
antibacterial potential against bacterial pathogens
Neha Neha, Chauhan Sanya and Devi Sushila
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 21(2); 10-19;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/212rjbt010019; (2026)
Abstract
The present study investigates the in vitro antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) synthesized through a green approach using acetone leaves extract of Athyrium
filix-femina. The plant extract served both as a reducing and stabilizing agent
in the eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of the crude
extract and biosynthesized AgNPs was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella
typhi using the agar well diffusion assay. Phytochemical profiling of the extract
was performed and the synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy,
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The
crude leaves extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity with inhibition zones
of B. subtilis (20.02 ± 0.421 mm), P. aeruginosa (17.9 ± 0.249 mm) and E. coli (12.2
± 0.424 mm). In contrast, AgNPs showed enhanced activity, with inhibition zones
of B. subtilis (21.06 ± 0.471 mm), P. aeruginosa (19.7 ± 0.295 mm) and S. aureus
(14.6 ± 0.432 mm). The MIC values for AgNPs ranged from 0.009875 to 0.0395 mg/100
mL which were substantially lower than those of the crude extract 0.0781–0.3125
mg/100 mL, indicating superior antibacterial potency. These findings highlight the
potential of Athyrium filix-femina-mediated AgNPs as promising candidates for the
development of novel plant-based antimicrobial agents through an environmentally
sustainable synthesis approach.
