Integrated approach: Al2O3-CaO nanocatalytic biodiesel production and antibacterial potential silver nanoparticle synthesis from Pedalium murex extract

Pedalium murex, a less-utilized traditional plant, has high lipid content, which ranges from 21 mg/gfw (milligram per gram fresh weight) in leaf, 32 mg/gfw in stem and 19 mg/gfw in callus. Lipids from different parts of the plant were extracted and employed for biodiesel production. Al2O3-CaO nanocatalyst was synthesized by the classical Sol-gel method, characterized by XRD, HR-SEM, and was applied for biodiesel production. In transesterification, the influence of methanol-lipid was evaluated by varying the ratio from 1:6 to 1:16, and the FAME converted yield was calculated to be 60% using Gas chromatography. The biomass was subjected to lipid extraction and was then used for the synthesis of AgNPs, analyzed through the UV–Visible absorption spectrum, XRD, HR-SEM, and SAED. AgNPs of Pedalium murex plant extract were examined for their antimicrobial activity against various bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. AgNPs showed the best antibacterial activity against E. coli at 5.0 mM concentration. This study is promising in the identification of a cheap source for biodiesel production with the added advantage of antimicrobial drug formulation from the medicinal plant Pedalium murex.