Procedure Optimization of Limonia acidissima Leaf Extraction and Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis for Prominent Antibacterial Activity

Abstract The authors herein report the optimum conditions for the eco‐friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Limonia acidissima leaf extract as a reductant. The synthesis of AgNPs using the diluted (0.25 g/mL) leaf extract under direct sunlight produced more homogenous nanoparticles within the shortest possible time. The effects of leaf extraction conditions as well as the reaction time, presence/absence of light, and concentration of the leaf extract as a green reductant for AgNP synthesis are extensively investigated. The synthesized AgNPs have a better homogeneity of size and shape (spherical particles with a size of approximately 24–30 nm and an average size of 27 nm), as confirmed by UV‐visible spectroscopy, EDS, and SEM, and the AgNP synthesis was complete within a short time (10 min), as confirmed by colorimetric/optical analysis. The as‐obtained nanoparticles show a prominent antimicrobial activity against most of the resistant human pathogens such as Escherichia coli , Citrobacter freundii , Bacillus subtilis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella typhimurium , and Staphylococcus aureus .