In a scientific era increasingly focused on sustainable innovation, Nigerian-born chemist Bamise Israel Egbewole is capturing global attention with a breakthrough that merges green chemistry and nanotechnology.
His recent research publication on, “Mallotus oppositifolius-mediated biosynthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles of silver and nickel: antimicrobial activity and plausible mechanism(s) of action,” published in the prestigious journal Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer Nature, 2022), presents a low-cost, environmentally friendly method to produce powerful antimicrobial materials using a common African plant.
A Native Plant Meets Modern Chemistry
The star of the research is Mallotus oppositifolius, a leafy shrub native to West Africa. Egbewole and his colleagues developed a green synthesis technique that uses the plant’s natural compounds to create bimetallic silver-nickel nanoparticles—particles that display remarkable antibacterial properties.
Unlike conventional synthesis methods that rely on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, this plant-based route is cleaner, cheaper, and scalable. The paper details how plant-derived molecules such as terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids act as natural reducing agents, initiating the formation of nanoparticles with strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
The Scientist Behind the Innovation
Bamise Israel Egbewole is an emerging chemist at the forefront of green nanotechnology, with a multidisciplinary background that bridges industrial quality control and academic research at the time of this groundbreaking study. He recently joined Chi Limited in Lagos, Nigeria, as a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) personnel. There, he aims to sharpen his practical expertise in analytical instrumentation, regulatory compliance, and industrial manufacturing standards—key skills that strengthened the scientific rigor of his nanoparticle research.
Egbewole has built a strong foundation in analytical chemistry and nanomaterial synthesis. His technical proficiency spans key laboratory techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and GMP/GLP documentation—all of which played a critical role in the biosynthesis and characterization of the silver-nickel nanoparticles detailed in the study.
Egbewole’s work reflects a deep commitment to sustainable science and innovation. His ability to blend indigenous plant knowledge with modern instrumentation highlights a rare fusion of cultural heritage and scientific advancement—an approach that is helping redefine green chemistry and its global applications.
Impacts for Global Health and Green Industry
While the study has clear implications for developing nations struggling with antimicrobial resistance, its relevance to the U.S. healthcare and manufacturing sectors is growing.
With bacterial resistance reaching critical levels globally, bimetallic nanoparticles offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Egbewole’s research contributes to the global search for biocompatible antimicrobial materials—a field vital to public health, clean water initiatives, and even medical device sterilization.
Moreover, the plant-based synthesis method aligns with the growing American demand for green chemistry solutions, especially those that reduce industrial toxicity and waste.
Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge
Beyond the lab, the work symbolically reclaims and repositions indigenous African knowledge in modern scientific discourse. Mallotus oppositifolius has long been used in traditional medicine, and this research extends its utility into 21st-century health and sustainability challenges.
Egbewole believes in the power of cross-cultural science: “By combining ancestral knowledge with advanced instrumentation, we’re uncovering new ways to solve old problems,” he said in a recent statement.
A Forward-Looking Vision
Looking ahead, the research team encourages further studies on the clinical safety, environmental impact, and industrial scaling of green-synthesized nanoparticles. But Egbewole’s work already sets the tone: innovation rooted in ecology, chemistry, and community.
In a world seeking eco-conscious solutions and effective public health tools, Bamise Egbewole is making science work at the intersection of tradition and technology.
Egbewole, B. I., Ogunsile, B. O., Adeola, A. O., Olawade, D. B., Adekunle, Y. A., & Nomngongo, P. N. (2022). Mallotus oppositifolius-mediated biosynthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles of silver and nickel: antimicrobial activity and plausible mechanism(s) of action. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 1-12
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