A simple one-step rapid green microwave irradiation method is described for the synthesis of silver nanospheres (Ag NS) using threonine as a reducing and polyvinyl-pyrrolidone as a capping agent. UV-Visible spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum confirmed the formation of Ag NS. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy was used to find the morphology of the synthesized sample, which has sphere-like morphology. The elemental composition of the Ag NS was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Antibacterial experiments showed that the prepared Ag NS had better antibacterial activities than silver nitrate in the same concentration. © 2015 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.