BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING LEAF EXTRACTS OF ASPARAGUS FLAGELLARIS

Medicinal and aromatic plants remain an important source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic and industrial applications. In recent years, plant-based green synthesis of nanoparticles has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical and physical methods. This study reports the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using methanolic leaf extracts of Asparagus flagellaris, a plant widely used in traditional medicine. The synthesis was confirmed by a distinct color change from pale yellow to brown, indicative of nanoparticle formation due to surface plasmon resonance. Characterization was performed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). UV–Vis spectra showed a strong absorption peak at 272 nm, while SEM images revealed predominantly spherical AgNPs with aggregation. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of amides, phenols, and aromatic compounds, suggesting their role in the reduction and capping of Ag⁺ ions. These findings demonstrate that A. flagellaris leaf extract serves as an efficient reducing and stabilizing agent in AgNP synthesis, offering a promising and environmentally sustainable approach for developing nanomaterials with potential applications in medicine and biotechnology.