Cephalosporium aphidicola-Derived Silver Nanoparticles: In Vitro Physicochemical, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Biofilm Inhibition, Biofilm Degradation, Antioxidant, Alpha-Amylase, and Urease Inhibitory Properties

The present study highlights an eco-friendly approach to synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Cephalosporium aphidicola, a fungus that acts as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The resulting AgNPs were thoroughly characterized through multiple analytical techniques. UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) identified essential functional groups involved in capping and stabilization. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the presence of silver ions, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed spherical nanoparticle morphology. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measured the average hydrodynamic size of the AgNPs at 59.52 nm. Beyond structural analysis, the AgNPs were evaluated for their biological performance. The nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrated strong antibacterial and biofilm-degrading effects against Shigella flexneri and Candida albicans. Additionally, the AgNPs showed significant, dose-dependent antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition properties. At a concentration of 1 mg.mL⁻¹, the AgNPs achieved 72.81 ± 1.73% DPPH radical scavenging, 86.06 ± 2.97% alpha-amylase inhibition, and 80.84 ± 2.38% urease inhibition. These findings show the promise of fungal-mediated AgNPs for biomedical applications, representing their multifunctional potential in areas such as antimicrobial therapies, biofilm management, and enzyme-related treatments.