Eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with Amyntas morrisi earthworm extract and its antibacterial activity

Abstract

Earthworms are soil-dwelling macroinvertebrates that contribute significantly to soil fertility and productivity. In India, various tribes have used earthworms to address diverse health issues. A native earthworm species, identified as Amyntas morrisi , was isolated from Kodaikanal. This study presents an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cost-effective method for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Amyntas morrisi extracts, which also exhibit potential antibacterial activity. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and zeta potential measurements. The AgNPs formed as spherical particles with an average diameter of about 15 nm. The antibacterial efficacy of both the earthworm extract and the AgNPs was assessed using an agar well diffusion assay with varying concentrations of the extracts and nanoparticles. Results indicated that bacterial inhibition varied by organism. The green synthesis of AgNPs using Amyntas morrisi extract demonstrated stronger inhibition of human pathogens, suggesting the potential for scalable, eco-friendly, and adaptable nanoparticle formulations for pharmaceutical applications.