Exquisite tool to decipher the antibacterial mechanism of nanoparticles by electron microscopy

Nanoparticles derived from plants have recently attracted the interest of scientists due to their nontoxic and benign nature compared to chemically prepared nanoparticles. Green silver nanoparticles are renowned for their inherent bactericidal properties, but the issue of agglomeration prevents them from being utilized to their fullest potential. In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles are synthesized with the Indian medicinal plant by the one-pot method. This research aims to develop alloyed nanoparticles of antimicrobial potential to anticipate synergistic antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the combined mode of bimetallic nanoparticles with plant extract will enable novel modes of dual action against the resistant bacteria compared to conventional antibiotics. Characterization of alloyed nanoparticles with UV-visible, XRD, FTIR, and TEM has revealed the polydisperse nanoparticles of spherical morphology, with size ranges of ∼25 nm. Nanoparticle activity was tested against NP, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and found to exhibit 29 mm and 28 mm zone of inhibition, respectively, compared to control, i.e., commercially purchased nanoparticles. Moreover, we have used versatile microscopy, such as TEM, HRTEM, SEM and FESEM, to identify the damage pathway nanoparticles have imparted on the bacteria.