ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology is the manipulation and control of matter at the nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and exploration of the medicinal properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Garcinia kola leaves. The crude extract was successfully obtained from Garcinia kola leaves using two different solvent; ethanol and water, which facilitated the subsequent synthesis of AgNPs. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles employed UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). UVVis results indicated significant changes in absorbance over time, with peak absorbance shifting to longer wavelengths from 24 to 72 hours, suggesting growth and stabilization of nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as proteins, carbohydrates, and polyphenols from the plant extracts, which are crucial for the reduction and stabilization of the nanoparticles. XRD patterns indicate distinct crystalline peaks that can be indexed to the facecentered cubic (FCC) structure of AgNPs. These peaks typically correspond to the (110), (101), (200), (111), (210), (211), (311), (400) and (410) lattice planes confirming their synthesis and purity. Preliminary results suggest that the AgNPs exhibit significant antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The result of the DPPH scavenging activity underscores the greater effectiveness of the aqueous extract in scavenging free radicals compared to the ascorbic acid indicating their potential for therapeutic application. This study successfully synthesized and characterized silver nanoparticles using extracts from G. kola leaves. The nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, making them promising candidates for various biomedical and environmental applications.
