Trigonella foenum-graecum -based facile one-pot green synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of silver/copper bimetallic nanoparticles

Green synthesis of Ag/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles was achieved by using different fractions of the methanolic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves. Phytochemical screening of the crude leaf extract and its fractions revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and anthraquinones. The bimetallic nanoparticles fabricated from each fraction were characterized with the help of UV/visible, IR, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy. The nanocomposites showed a single absorption peak at 776 nm in UV/visible spectrum. FTIR analysis indicated the functional groups involved in reduction, stabilization, and capping agents. Spherical, spiked, truncated, and coral-like structures were observed for the nanoparticles. The EDS confirmed the presence of Ag and Cu atoms in the fabricated nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the extracts and their corresponding nanocomposites were compared. Interestingly, in most cases, the composites proved to be more potent in comparison with the corresponding extracts. The data have been presented in respective sections and discussed.