In the present study, Glochidion candolleanum (Wight & Arn.) Chakrab. & M. Gangop. leaf (GCL)-ethyl acetate extract was used for the phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and subjected to antibacterial assay with G+ve and G−ve bacteria. The GCL·AgNPs synthesized were characterized through various spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, while the phytochemical compounds was analyzed by GC–MS. The discrete GCL·AgNPs formed were micron-scale range. TEM images of AgNPs reveal that nanoparticles were spherical and ellipsoidal in shape, dispersed uniformly and capped with secondary material of ≈10 nm thickness. A maximum inhibition zone of 12.2 mm diameter was observed against Salmonella enterica followed by 11.8 mm diameter against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. GC–MS analysis revealed the occurrence of bioactive phytocompounds in GCL extract, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, 2,4,6-cycloheptatrien, benzenepropanoic acid, 2-ethylacridine, benzo[h]quinoline, methyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane and 5-methyl-2-phenylindolizine. The findings suggest that GCL could be used for developing antibacterial AgNPs against pathogenic bacteria. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.