Phytogenic Fabrication And Characterization Of Silver Nanoparticles Using Allium Sativum And Curcuma Longa For Treating Bacterial Skin Infections Caused By Resistant Pathogens

Abstract

The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial skin infections has intensified the need for alternative, sustainable therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (garlic) and Curcuma longa (turmeric), and to evaluate their antibacterial activity against common dermatitis-causing pathogens. A green synthesis approach was employed, wherein 10 mL of each plant extract or their combination was added to 90 mL of 1 mM AgNO₃ solution. The formation of AgNPs was visually confirmed by a color change and further validated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, DLS, and zeta potential analyses. The synthesized nanoparticles were spherical, stable, and ranged from 16.8 to 21.4 nm in size. FTIR revealed the involvement of phenolic and amide groups in nanoparticle stabilization. Antibacterial activity, assessed using the agar well diffusion method, showed that all AgNPs exhibited significant inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the combined extract-based AgNPs (F3) demonstrating superior efficacy. These findings suggest that the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using medicinal plants can produce biocompatible antimicrobial agents suitable for treating bacterial dermatitis. Further research on formulation development and in vivo validation is warranted for clinical translation.