ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF GREEN SYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM MARCHANTIA SP. EXTRACT: TESTING AN ALCOHOL-FREE HAND SANITIZER PRODUCT FORMULA

Common liverwort is widely distributed around the world, and its extract has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic activities. This research investigated the antimicrobial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from common liverwort (Marchantia sp.) and its potency as a material for hand sanitizer formulation. The green synthesis (eco-friendly and biosafe synthesis using the nontoxic reagents) of liverwort AgNPs (LAgNPs) was performed using the maceration technique and 1 mg AgNO3. Characterization of LAgNPs was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) was performed to determine the nanoparticle size and elements. Then, the effectiveness of LAgNPs and LAgNPs-formulated hand sanitizer to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was analyzed. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer results from LAgNPs at wavelength ranged from 400 to 700 nm shows an absorbance peak at 422 nm. FTIR analysis indicates that the LAgNPs were stabilized by isothiocyanate and amide, which represents the presence of various phytochemicals in the liverwort extract. The SEM-EDX analysis clearly shows that the size of the nanoparticles lies between 0.020-0.040 nm, and it contains several elements O, C, N, and Ag. Also, 75% LAgNPs concentration inhibited the growth of E.coli and S.aureus with clear zone diameter at 19.75 +/- 6.13 mm and 16.25 +/- 0.54 mm, respectively; whereas the formulated hand sanitizer inhibition diameter for both bacterial species was at 11.33 +/- 1.03 mm and 11.00 +/- 0.54 mm, respectively. The LAgNPs exhibits a promising antimicrobial activity for application in a non-alcoholic hand sanitizer product formulation.