Euphorbiaceae latex induced green synthesis of non-cytotoxic metallic nanoparticle solutions: A rational approach to antimicrobial applications

► Simple, rapid, green and room temperature synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant latex is reported. ► Dilute solution of the latex itself act as reducing as well as stabilizing agent. ► The synthesis can be extended to copper by employing ascorbic acid as non-toxic reducing agent. ► The non-toxic formulations were directly used for antimicrobial and cytotoxic studies. Both the metallic nanoparticle solutions exhibit bactericidal action at nanomolar concentrations. ► Cytotoxic studies suggested minimal apoptosis in four different cell lines up to bactericidal concentration.