Preparation and Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Muntingia calabura Leaf Extract to Cure White Piedra

Purpose Trichosporon inkin is recognized as one of the vital causative organisms of white piedra in humans. Very few herbal treatments are available against white piedra. Muntingia calabura (MC) leaf extract and silver (Ag) nanoparticles are identified for their numerous therapeutic applications which is the main purpose of this research work. Methods In this work, we synthesized, characterized, and studied the stability of Ag nanoparticles embedded in the aqueous extract of MC leaf. The antifungal and antioxidant activity of the Ag nanoparticles embedded MC leaf extract was examined using well diffusion method and 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, respectively. Results Absorbance peak at 440 nm in UV-visible spectrum confirmed the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) zeta potential analyzer revealed the average particle size of the nanoparticles as 20 nm with the zeta potential of − 18.9 mV. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed spherical nanoparticles with a particle size of 20 to 50 nm. Elemental analysis using energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) identified the presence of Ag. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results predicted functional groups of MC leaf extract and Ag nanoparticles functionalized with MC extract explaining the interaction between them. The crystallinity of silver nanoparticles and particle size was identified using an x-ray diffractometer (XRD). Conclusions Ag nanoparticles embedded in MC leaf extract exhibited good stability and possessed good antioxidant activity. The zone of inhibition inferred for the Ag nanoparticles embedded in MC leaf extract determined its antifungal activity against Trichosporon inkin . Hence, the developed Ag nanoparticles embedded in MC leaf extract can be used efficiently in any formulations formulated against Trichosporon inkin.