A Review on Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and Their Antibacterial Properties

Wayan Gracias, Indah Miftakhul Janah

Abstract


The escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has prompted growing scientific attention toward plant-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a sustainable source of antimicrobial materials. This literature review synthesizes findings from 32 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2026, encompassing more than 32 plant species across 14 countries, to examine how synthesis conditions influence physicochemical characteristics and in vitro antibacterial activity. The reviewed studies indicate that AgNPs formation and performance are shaped more by synthesis parameters than by plant identity itself. The most favorable conditions were generally AgNO₃ concentrations of 1–3 mM, temperatures of 45–75 °C, pH 7–9, extract-to-precursor ratios of 1:9 to 2:1, and reaction times of 30–60 minutes in aqueous systems, typically yielding spherical nanoparticles of 10–30 nm. Smaller particles often showed stronger antibacterial effects, although colloidal stability remained an important determinant of performance. Among the reported systems, Azadirachta indica-derived AgNPs showed the strongest antibacterial activity. Overall, the evidence suggests that plant-based AgNP synthesis is a promising and environmentally benign approach, while methodological standardization and broader testing against resistant pathogens remain necessary for more reliable comparison and future application.

Keywords


Green Synthesis; Silver Nanoparticles; Plant Extract; Antimicrobial Activity.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdulwahhab, N. I., Mohamed, E. A., Aljaafari, H. A. S., Mahmood, B. S., Hasoon, B. A., Zghair, Z. M., Sultan, A. J., & Anaee, R. A. (2026). Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles from Tulsi leaf extract: synergistic antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Applied Sciences, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/S43994-026-00315-Z/TABLES/4

Acebo, D. P. D., Martos, E. M. E., Pedroso, J. C. R., & Cortes, A. D. (2025). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walt) leaf extract and its antimicrobial property against human pathogens. The Microbe, 9, 100603. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROB.2025.100603

Akhtar, W., Hamza, M. I., Qayyum, S., Khan, M. A., Mukhtar, N., Kamal, A., Sarwar, R., Nazish, M., Alrefae, A. F., Almutairi, M. H., & Naseem, M. T. (2025). Phyto-synthesis, characterization of silver nanoparticles from mint leaf extract and its evaluation in antimicrobial and pharmacological applications. BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 1072-. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12870-025-07043-2/TABLES/6

Alamdari, S., Khayyat, M. A., Tafreshi, M. J., Men´endez, J. L., & Ehsani, M. H. (2025). Harnessing nature: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Thymus extract and their antibacterial efficacy and photocatalytic application. Surfaces and Interfaces, 78, 108086. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SURFIN.2025.108086

Ali, S. S. M., Dharmadhikari, K., Saiyed, K. I., Vasava, H., Jowhari, M. A., & Robin, P. (2026). Ecofriendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Barleria gibsonii and evaluation of antibacterial antioxidant cytotoxic and catalytic activities. Scientific Reports 2026 16:1, 16(1), 8281-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37330-3

Aljazzar, S. O., Babatimehin, A. M., Ogunbamowo, O. E., Refat, M. S., Albedair, L. A., & Ofudje, E. A. (2026). Eco-friendly silver nanoparticles from neem extracts: a dual approach to heavy metal sensing and antimicrobial applications. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 13(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40643-026-01011-W

Anza, M., Lema, T., Abrham, M., Leja, D., & Bibiso, M. (2026). Phytochemical insights and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Maytenus gracilipes, with evaluation of their antibacterial activity. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 26(1), 108-. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12906-026-05304-7/TABLES/4

Asif, M., Yasmin, R., Asif, R., Ambreen, A., Mustafa, M., & Umbreen, S. (2022). Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), Structural Characterization, and their Antibacterial Potential. Dose-Response, 20(2), 15593258221088708. https://doi.org/10.1177/15593258221088709

Baptista, P. V., McCusker, M. P., Carvalho, A., Ferreira, D. A., Mohan, N. M., Martins, M., & Fernandes, A. R. (2018). Nano-strategies to fight multidrug resistant bacteria-"A Battle of the Titans". Frontiers in Microbiology, 9(JUL), 381070. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMICB.2018.01441/XML

Baran, A., Ghorbanzadeh, V., Doğan, Y., Ahmadian, E., Zulfugarova, P., & Mohamed, A. J. (2026). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Elaeagnus angustifolia extract: characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Discover Nano, 21(1), 2-. https://doi.org/10.1186/S11671-025-04423-3/SCHEMES/2

Bedoura, S., Habibullah, A. B. M., Islam, M. S., Mahin, M. M. A., Anwar, M. T., & Shoily, M. T. (2026). Green synthesis and molecular-level mechanism of silver nanoparticles from Pandanus fascicularis (Keya) leaf extract with antibacterial activity. Next Nanotechnology, 9, 100376. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NXNANO.2026.100376

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States. https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:82532

Chakravarty, A., Ahmad, I., Singh, P., Ud Din Sheikh, M., Aalam, G., Sagadevan, S., & Ikram, S. (2022). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fruits extracts of Syzygium cumini and their bioactivity. Chemical Physics Letters, 795, 139493. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CPLETT.2022.139493

Dakal, T. C., Kumar, A., Majumdar, R. S., & Yadav, V. (2016). Mechanistic basis of antimicrobial actions of silver nanoparticles. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7(NOV), 231711. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMICB.2016.01831/XML

Dayana, B. M., Venkatesan, R., Thomas, J., Prakash, J., Saravanan, P., Sherlin Nivetha, M., Murali, A., Vetcher, A. A., Settu, M., & Kim, S.-C. (2026). Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles via Melaleuca alternifolia leaf extract for antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anticancer activity. Scientific Reports 2026 16:1, 16(1), 2574-. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-025-32191-8

Dhaka, A., Chand Mali, S., Sharma, S., & Trivedi, R. (2023a). A review on biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their potential applications. Results in Chemistry, 6, 101108. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RECHEM.2023.101108

Dhaka, A., Chand Mali, S., Sharma, S., & Trivedi, R. (2023b). A review on biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their potential applications. Results in Chemistry, 6, 101108. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RECHEM.2023.101108

Divyalakshmi, M. V., & Thoppil, J. E. (2025). Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles from ethnomedicinal yellow mangosteen leaf extract. Vegetos, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/S42535-025-01179-0/METRICS

Eker, F., Akdaşçi, E., Duman, H., Bechelany, M., & Karav, S. (2025). Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts: A Comprehensive Review of Physicochemical Properties and Multifunctional Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025, Vol. 26, Page 6222, 26(13), 6222. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJMS26136222

Gheisizadeh, A., Darghiasi, S. F., & Farazin, A. (2025). Sustainable chemistry approaches for biomedical applications of energy materials: A converging frontier. Sustainable Chemistry for Energy Materials, 2, 100021. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCENEM.2025.100021

Güneş, S., Ektiren, D., & Vardin, H. (2025). Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Gilaburu under varying temperature and pH, with antimicrobial activity and spectral inconsistencies. Scientific Reports 2025 15:1, 15(1), 38516-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00595-1

Haghi, P. B., Mokarram, R. R., Khiabani, M. S., Hamishekar, H., Kafil, H. S., Paryad, P., Abedi-Firoozjah, R., & Tavassoli, M. (2025). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using chamomile extract for xanthan/ agar and bacterial nanocellulose antimicrobial nanobiocomposite. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 19(3), 1567–1585. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11694-024-03026-3/METRICS

Huq, M. A., Ashrafudoulla, M., Rahman, M. M., Balusamy, S. R., & Akter, S. (2022). Green Synthesis and Potential Antibacterial Applications of Bioactive Silver Nanoparticles: A Review. Polymers 2022, Vol. 14, Page 742, 14(4), 742. https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM14040742

Kandiah, M., Arifeen, R., Gunaratne, B., & Perera, O. (2026). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with Torenia fournieri leaf extracts and assessing the antioxidant and antibacterial properties, para-nitrophenol catalysis, and nanotoxicity. RSC Advances, 16(16), 14525–14534. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA10074G

Khalifa, H. O., Oreiby, A., Mohammed, T., Abdelhamid, M. A. A., Sholkamy, E. N., Hashem, H., & Fereig, R. M. (2025). Silver nanoparticles as next-generation antimicrobial agents: mechanisms, challenges, and innovations against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 15, 1599113. https://doi.org/10.3389/FCIMB.2025.1599113

Khambhati, K., Chaudhari, H., Patel, V., Ahire, P., Gohil, N., Bhattacharjee, G., Alzahrani, K. J., Ramakrishna, S., Maurya, R., & Singh, V. (2026). Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Traditional Medicinal Herb Phyllanthus Maderaspatensis for their Antibacterial and Anti-biofilm Activities. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 198(4), 3017–3036. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12010-026-05590-4/METRICS

Konkal, P., Taranath, T. C., & Patil, B. N. (2026). Green-synthesized silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles: A mini review of antibacterial and antimycobacterial activities. Next Nanotechnology, 9, 100443. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NXNANO.2026.100443

Laxminarayan, R., Matsoso, P., Pant, S., Brower, C., Røttingen, J. A., Klugman, K., & Davies, S. (2016). Access to effective antimicrobials: a worldwide challenge. The Lancet, 387(10014), 168–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00474-2

Lemeitaron, N. P., Shigwenya, M. E., Munuhe, L. N., Makhanu, S. D., & Kinyanjui, K. P. (2026). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles via aqueous extracts of Prunus africana and their antimicrobial activities. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 57, 100883. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAJCE.2026.100883

Madheslu, M., Prabhakaran, D., Sadasivam, N., Sankar, M., Muthupandian, S., Al-Amer, O. M., Altemani, F., & Alharbi, Z. (2026). Engineering optimization of silver nanoparticle synthesis using Clitoria ternatea leaf extract: response surface methodology approach and biocompatibility assessment. Chemical Physics Impact, 12, 100995. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHPHI.2025.100995

Naveed, M., Bukhari, B., Aziz, T., Zaib, S., Mansoor, M. A., Khan, A. A., Shahzad, M., Dablool, A. S., Alruways, M. W., Almalki, A. A., Alamri, A. S., & Alhomrani, M. (2022). Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using the Plant Extract of Acer oblongifolium and Study of Its Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Activity via Mathematical Approaches. Molecules 2022, Vol. 27, Page 4226, 27(13), 4226. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES27134226

Ojha, I., Saud, P. S., Jaishi, D. R., Rosyara, Y. R., Ojha, A., Devi, N. R., Joshi, P. R., & Pant, H. R. (2026). Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Alcea rosea leaf aqueous extract and evaluation of the biological activities. Scientific Reports 2026 16:1, 16(1), 6693-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37480-4

Oves, M., Ahmar Rauf, M., Aslam, M., Qari, H. A., Sonbol, H., Ahmad, I., Sarwar Zaman, G., & Saeed, M. (2022). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Conocarpus Lancifolius plant extract and their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29(1), 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SJBS.2021.09.007

Pungle, R., Nile, S. H., Makwana, N., Singh, R., Singh, R. P., & Kharat, A. S. (2022). Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using the Tridax procumbens Plant Extract and Screening of Its Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022(1), 9671594. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9671594

Rajeshkumar, S., & Bharath, L. V. (2017). Mechanism of plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles – A review on biomolecules involved, characterisation and antibacterial activity. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 273, 219–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CBI.2017.06.019

Rauf, S., Hameed, H., Tariq, M., Afareen, A., Gulfaraz, S., AlKubaisi, N. A., & Elshikh, M. S. (2025). Phytochemical-Mediated Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Mirabilis jalapa Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial. Microscopy Research and Technique, 88(6), 1795–1805. https://doi.org/10.1002/JEMT.24801

Salayová, A., Bedlovičová, Z., Daneu, N., Baláž, M., Lukáčová Bujňáková, Z., Balážová, L., & Tkáčiková, L. (2021). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity using various medicinal plant extracts: Morphology and antibacterial efficacy. Nanomaterials, 11(4), 1005. https://doi.org/10.3390/NANO11041005/S1

Sharif, I. H., Primu, F. S., Joy, M. N. H., Tithi, M. H., Chowdhury, A., Pretha, P. D., Jamal, A. H. M., Roy, T. K., Ismail, Z., Islam, M. S., & Idris, A. M. (2026). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Eichhornia crassipes and evaluates their antimicrobial properties against multidrug-resistant UTI pathogens. Scientific Reports 2026 16:1, 16(1), 11109-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-41224-9

Shoily, M. T., Hossain, M. M., Das, S. C., & Bedoura, S. (2025). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Calathea ornata extract: Characterization, antimicrobial properties, and cytotoxicity assessment. MRS Advances, 10(20), 2373–2379. https://doi.org/10.1557/S43580-025-01373-X/METRICS

Singh, A., Gaud, B., & Jaybhaye, S. (2020). Optimization of synthesis parameters of silver nanoparticles and its antimicrobial activity. Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 3, 232–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MSET.2019.08.004

Sivalingam, A. M. (2026a). Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Bacopa monnieri leaf extract photoluminescence (PL) profiling and applications of antioxidant, antimicrobial activity. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 184, 115898. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INOCHE.2025.115898

Sivalingam, A. M. (2026b). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using swietenia macrophylla extract evaluation of their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1353, 144710. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MOLSTRUC.2025.144710

Tacconelli, E., Carrara, E., Savoldi, A., Harbarth, S., Mendelson, M., Monnet, D. L., Pulcini, C., Kahlmeter, G., Kluytmans, J., Carmeli, Y., Ouellette, M., Outterson, K., Patel, J., Cavaleri, M., Cox, E. M., Houchens, C. R., Grayson, M. L., Hansen, P., Singh, N., … Zorzet, A. (2018). Discovery, research, and development of new antibiotics: the WHO priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and tuberculosis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 18(3), 318–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30753-3

Ventola, C. L. (2015). The Antibiotic Resistance Crisis: Part 1: Causes and Threats. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 40(4), 277. https://doi.org/Article

WHO. (2023). Antimicrobial resistance. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

Yin, I. X., Zhang, J., Zhao, I. S., Mei, M. L., Li, Q., & Chu, C. H. (2020).

The Antibacterial Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Application in Dentistry

. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 15, 2555–2562. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S246764

Yu, Z., Li, Q., Wang, J., Yu, Y., Wang, Y., Zhou, Q., & Li, P. (2020). Reactive Oxygen Species-Related Nanoparticle Toxicity in the Biomedical Field. Nanoscale Research Letters 2020 15:1, 15(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/S11671-020-03344-7




DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/justek.v9i2.39545

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


JUSTEK : Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi sudah terindeks

    

EDITORIAL OFFICE: