Pomegranate peel extract mediated biocompatible silver selenide bimetallic nanoparticles and comprehensive evaluation of their biological activities

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria appeals for urgent development of novel antimicrobial agents. Bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs), particularly silver selenide (Ag ₂ Se), have emerged as promising candidates due to their enhanced antibacterial properties, biocompatibility and multifunctional applications. This study presents an eco-friendly synthesis of Ag ₂ Se BNPs using pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) peel extract, leveraging its rich polyphenols and flavonoids as natural reducing and stabilizaing agents. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterised using Uv-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and FE-SEM, confirming their structural and morphological properties. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated potent activity against both Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis ) and Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli , Acinetobacter baumannii ) bacteria, with significant membrane disruption observed through cytoplasmic leakage and SEM analysis. Additionally, the BNPs exhibited notable antioxidant activity in DPPH and H ₂ O ₂ assays, alongside excellent haemocompatibility at lower concentrations. These findings highlight the dual functionality of Ag ₂ Se BNPs as effective antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, offering sustainable solutions for biomedical applications such as wound healing, antimicrobial coatings and drug delivery systems. This green synthesis approach aligns with global efforts towards eco-friendly nanotechnology.