Abstract
In the study reported in this manuscript, silver/iron oxide nanocomposites (Ag/Fe
2
O
3
) were phytosynthesized using the extract of
Buddleja lindleyana
via a green, economical and eco-friendly strategy. The biosynthesized Ag/Fe
2
O
3
nanocomposites were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, TEM, DLS and SEM-EDX analyses. The particulates showed a triangular and spherical morphology having sizes between 25 and 174 nm. FTIR studies on the nanoparticles showed functional groups corresponding to organic metabolites, which reduce and stabilize the Ag/Fe
2
O
3
nanocomposite. The antimicrobial efficacy of the phytosynthesized Ag/Fe
2
O
3
against bacterial pathogens was assessed. In addition, Ag/Fe
2
O
3
exhibited broad spectrum activities against
B. subtilis
,
S. aureus
,
E. coli
, and
P. aeruginosa
with inhibition zones of 23.4 ± 0.75, 22.3 ± 0.57, 20.8 ± 1.6, and 19.5 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. The Ag/Fe
2
O
3
composites obtained showed promising antibacterial action against human bacterial pathogens (
S. aureus
,
E. coli
,
B. subtilis
and
P. aeruginosa
), making them candidates for medical applications.