Silver nanoparticle synthesis and antimicrobial applications of oleaster plant (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

In this study, an ecologically sustainable green synthesis protocol was applied using a plant extract prepared from the leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (commonly known as oleaster), and silver-based nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized. Various advanced characterization techniques were employed to determine the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic measurements revealed a characteristic absorption band at approximately 441 nanometers, attributed to the surface plasmon resonance property of silver nanoparticles, thereby confirming their formation.To obtain detailed information about surface morphology and particle size distribution, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses were conducted, along with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for topographic evaluation. The obtained images showed that the nanoparticles were generally spherical in shape, had a uniform distribution, and smooth surface characteristics.The crystalline structure was examined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, and the resulting diffractograms indicated that the nanoparticles were arranged in a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal system. The average crystallite size was calculated to be approximately 11.84 nanometers using the Debye-Scherrer equation, which can be interpreted as an indication of successful nanoscale synthesis.In addition, to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs, susceptibility tests were performed against several foodborne and clinically important pathogenic microorganisms using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method. These microorganisms included Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans. The AgNPs exhibited strong inhibitory effects against these pathogens.The findings demonstrate that silver nanoparticles obtained through green synthesis show great promise as biocompatible and environmentally friendly antimicrobial agents.