Abhishek Prakash Tiwari1, Deepankar Yadav2, Rajkamal3, Bal Chandra Yadav1*
1Nanomaterials & Sensors Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Physical and Decision Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India.
2Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata, Chunilal Bhawan,168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata – 700054, West Bengal, India
3Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India, Lucknow 226008, U.P., India
Cite this article: Tiwari, A. P., Yadav, D., Tiwari, R., Yadav, B.C.,2026. Bio-fabricated Agave americana Silver Nanoparticles: Dual Antimicrobial–Anticancer Efficacy Rooted in Structural and Thermal Characteristics J. Appl. Sci. Innov. Technol. 5 (1), 32-39.
Abstract
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Agave americana leaf extract
was achieved via a sustainable, single-step method. Phytoconstituents facilitated rapid
reduction of Ag⁺ ions, yielding monodisperse, spherical nanoparticles (45 ± 12 nm)
characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy (SPR peak: 434 nm), FTIR
(protein/polysaccharide capping), XRD (face-centered cubic crystallinity), and
FESEM. Thermal analysis revealed exceptional stability: DSC showed an
endothermic peak at 103.88°C confirming purity with no transitions below 350°C,
while TGA indicated complete capping-agent decomposition by 180°C. The AgNPs
demonstrated multi biofunctionality: Potent antimicrobial activity against drug
resistant pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa MIC: 3.0 μg/mL; Escherichia
coli ZOI: 13.50 ± 0.26 mm at 100 μg/mL), surpassing gentamicin efficacy (p<0.05),
Dose-dependent cytotoxicity against SiHa cervical cancer cells (IC₅₀: 15 μg/mL)
mediated by ROS generation, Significant antioxidant capacity (84.2% DPPH
scavenging at 100 μg/mL). The nanoparticles’ thermal resilience (<350°C), coupled
with their antioxidant-prooxidant duality, positions them as degradable therapeutic
carriers for combating antibiotic resistance and oncology applications. This work
establishes Agave americana as a scalable platform for eco-friendly nanotherapeutics.
Keywords: Agave americana, Silver nanoparticles, Antimicrobial activity, Anticancer activity, Thermal stability, Drug-resistant bacteria
Scope: Physical Sciences
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