Eren A.Baran M.F.14.07.20192019-07-1614.07.20192019-07-1620191589-1623https://dx.doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1702_40974105https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12514/1124In recent years, the biosynthesis (green synthesis) of metal nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become one of the safest, most cost-effective and environmentally friendly approaches. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized using maize (Zea mays L.) leaves. For the characterization of synthesized AgNPs different techniques were used, such as X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Thermal gravimetric and Differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The XRD results showed that AgNPs had a mean diameter of 12.63 nm and a crystal-like appearance. In addition, antimicrobial activities of synthesized AgNPs were evaluated using 3 different antibiotics against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Candida albicans yeast. Antifungal activity of AgNPs with antibiotics has been observed to be better than the antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were found to be 0.084, 0.337 and 0.021 mg mL-1 for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, respectively. The results revealed that AgNPs synthesized from maize leaf extract have antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans yeast, and that the produced AgNPs could be used in the production of biomedical products and in the pharmaceutical industry. © 2019, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.en10.15666/aeer/1702_40974105info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAntimicrobial activityCandida albicansEscherichia coliGreen AgNPsStaphylococcus aureusArticle17240974105