Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaves: characterisation and impact on Staphylococcus aureus growth and glutathione‐S‐transferase activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are toxic to various microbes, but the mechanism of action is not fully understood. The present report explores Azadirachta indica leaf extract as a reducing agent for the rapid biosynthesis of AgNPs. The effects of AgNPs on the growth, glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity, and total protein concentration in Staphylococcus aureus were investigated, as was its antibacterial activity against seven other bacterial strains. Nanoparticle synthesis was confirmed by the UV‐Vis spectrum and colour change of the solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterise the synthesised nanoparticles. The UV‐Visible spectrograph showed an absorbance peak at 420 nm. DLS analysis showed an average AgNP size of 159 nm and a Polydispersity Index of 0.373. SEM analysis showed spherical particle shapes, while TEM established an average AgNP size of 7.5 nm. The element analysis profile showed small peaks for calcium, potassium, zinc, chlorine, with the presence of oxygen and silver. AgNPs markedly affected the growth curves and GST activity in treated bacteria, and produced moderate antibacterial activity. Thus AgNPs synthesised from A. indica leaves can interrupt the growth curve and total protein concentration in bacterial cells.Inspec keywords: ultraviolet spectra, microorganisms, nanomedicine, visible spectra, nanoparticles, electrokinetic effects, antibacterial activity, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, light scattering, nanofabrication, particle size, silver, enzymes, biochemistry, molecular biophysics, cellular biophysicsOther keywords: silver nanoparticles, glutathione‐S‐transferase activity, green leaves, rapid biosynthesis, total protein concentration, nanoparticle synthesis, colour change, zeta potential analysis, UV‐Visible spectrograph, DLS analysis, SEM analysis, element analysis profile, growth curve, GST activity, bacterial strains, antibacterial activity, staphylococcus aureus growth, microbes, Azadirachta azadirachta indica leaf, reducing agent, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, absorbance peak, polydispersity index, spherical particle shapes, TEM, bacterial cells, Ag