Chemical Technology and Engineering Applications
Unveiling the Bioactive Architecture of Garlic (Allium sativum): Optimized Extraction, Molecular Profiling, and Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Potency
The increasing issue of antimicrobial resistance has increased the effort to discover effective plant-based therapeutic options, and as a result, the bioactive composition and antimicrobial potential of garlic (Allium sativum) were investigated. Garlic cloves were processed in this study; air-dried; ground; and Soxhlet and maceration extraction using ethanol produced a high extract recovery of 50 percent. They were used to characterize the extract using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), phytochemical screening, antimicrobial bioassays, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis. FTIR data showed the existence of prominent functional groups of alcohols, phenolics, aliphatic chains, carbonyl compounds, and sulfur-based compounds, indicating the presence of key organosulfur compounds, including allicin and ajoene. The phytochemical assessment revealed very high levels of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, phenols, and steroids, which are all well-known agents of antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial tests showed that it exhibited high and medium-high inhibitions against Staphylococcus aureus (25-32 mm), Escherichia coli (22-27 mm), and Candida albicans (24-28 mm), respectively, which showed to be broad-spectrum performance, especially against Gram-positive microbes. XRF analysis also confirmed mineral oxides such as Fe₂O₃, MnO, ZnO, TiO₂, CaO, MgO, and SO3, which are favorable SO₃, in the stimulation of oxidative stress, disruption of enzymes, destabilization of membranes, and promotion of overall antimicrobial activity. All these findings are to support the fact that garlic extract has considerable antimicrobial and antioxidant effects that are stimulated by synergistic effects of the phytochemicals and the bioactive mineral constituents. The results highlight the benefits of Allium sativum as a natural therapeutic agent and a feasible complementary approach to traditional antibiotics, in particular in the treatment of resistant microbial pathogens.
Allium sativum, Antimicrobial activity, Phytochemical profiling, Organosulfur compounds, DPPH radical scavenging assay
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruslan Shamsudden, Ajayi Israel Oluwasanmi, Kabiru Bashir Ahmad, Musa Yahaya Abubakar, Ataitiya Hyelalibiya, Ogar Faith Anani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles as a Sustainable Surrogate to Conventional Antibiotics: Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanistic Insights into Antibacterial Activity
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to compromise the effectiveness of existing therapies, highlighting the need for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study reports the green synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an aqueous plant extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing system. The synthesis was carried out using 1 mM AgNO₃ with a 1:4 (v/v) ratio of plant extract to metal precursor under controlled conditions (pH 8.0, 60 °C, 45 min). UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed AgNP formation through a surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm, with a full width at half maximum indicative of narrow size distribution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis identified functional groups associated with phytochemicals responsible for reduction and capping, while X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic Bragg reflections corresponding to crystalline face-centered cubic silver. Transmission electron microscopy showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 15-25 nm, supported by a size-distribution histogram and a polydispersity index of 0.21, confirming moderate monodispersity. The antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was assessed against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), yielding minimum inhibitory concentration values of 8-16 µg/mL. These results demonstrate notable antibacterial efficacy but are interpreted without comparison to conventional antibiotics in the absence of direct experimental data. Cytotoxicity evaluation on mammalian fibroblasts showed >80% cell viability at concentrations up to 20 µg/mL, indicating acceptable biocompatibility within the tested range. Overall, the study establishes a well-characterized and environmentally sustainable route for AgNP synthesis and demonstrates their potential as supplementary antimicrobial agents in the context of rising AMR.
Biogenic silver nanoparticles, Green synthesis, Antibiotic surrogate, Antimicrobial resistance, Reactive oxygen species, Nanotechnology-based therapeutics
Copyright (c) 2026 Shagufta Parveen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0