Eco-friendly biofabrication of silver nanoparticles using Solanum tuberosum peel extract and their multifunctional biomedical applications

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has gained increasing attention due to its eco-friendly nature and biomedical potential. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized using Solanum tuberosum (potato) peel extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Formation of AgNPs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis revealed crystalline, spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 10 to 55 nm. The AgNPs exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Penicillium glabrum, and Candida albicans, with the highest inhibition zone against B. subtilis (24.50 ± 4.97 mm). In cytotoxicity assays, AgNPs showed dose-dependent activity against PANC-1 and PC-3 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 128 and 137 µg/mL, respectively, and lower toxicity toward Vero cells (IC₅₀ = 439.1 µg/mL). Antioxidant activity was observed in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazo-line-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays with IC₅₀ values of ~240 and 412 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, AgNPs showed inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 461 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 153 µg/mL). These results underscore the potential of potato peel-mediated AgNPs as eco-friendly, multifunctional nanomaterials with promising biological applications.