ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Microwave-irradiated green synthesis of antibacterial and antioxidant silver nanoparticles from Clerodendrum infortunatum leaf extracts

Dima Alkadri, Avinash Basavarajappa, Kotresh Kyathanahally Rajashekarappa, Prabhanshu Kumar, and Gurumurthy Dummi Mahadevan

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University, Jerash, Jordan

E-mail: meavinashb@gmail.com

Received: 24 June 2025  Accepted: 21 May 2026

Abstract:

Biosynthesized nanoparticles are increasingly valued for their unique biological applications and plant-derived metabolites that enable green synthesis. This study reports the easy and eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from an aqueous leaf extract of Clerodendrum infortunatum. Characterization through UV‒visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, EDX, and HR‒TEM confirmed their structural, chemical, and morphological properties. A stable UV‒Vis peak at 420 nm was observed after 24 h of incubation in the dark. FTIR analysis revealed key functional groups involved in reduction, capping, and stabilization, including phenolic, amine, ester, and aromatic groups. XRD analysis confirmed a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure, similar to that of the AgNPs synthesized from Moringa oleifera extract. HR-TEM and SAED revealed that well-dispersed Cl-AgNPs with biomolecular coatings prevented aggregation, while EDX analysis verified their purity, detecting a strong silver peak at 3 keV along with trace capping elements. Cl-AgNPs exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against S. typhi than against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, or E. faecalis, likely due to cell wall differences. Antioxidant analysis revealed that Cl-AgNPs had greater activity than Trolox did. Membrane leakage studies confirmed increased sugar and protein release, with the highest leakage in E. faecalis, demonstrating the ability of Cl-AgNPs to compromise microbial cell integrity.

Keywords: Clerodendrum infortunatum; Silver nanoparticles (AgNps); X-ray diffraction; HR-TEM; Antioxidants

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05104-w

Chemical Papers 80 (10) 11937–11948 (2026)