Abstract

GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CATALYTIC SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING SOYMIDA FEBRIFUGA AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT

T. Sowmyya and G. Vijaya Lakshmi*

ABSTRACT

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has gained notable significance in the recent times because of the use of cost-effective and eco-friendly procedures. In the present study, one such simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles [AgNPs] was developed. The synthesis of AgNPs from aqueous leaf extract of Soymida febrifuga was assessed by varying different reaction parameters like concentration of plant extract, the ratio of reactants, temperature and reaction time. Characterization using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry revealed a Surface Plasmon Resonance [SPR] peak at 429nm confirming the formation of AgNPs. Further, characterization of the AgNPs was carried out using X-Ray Diffractometer [XRD], Nanoparticle Analyzer, Scanning Electron Microscope [SEM] and Transmission Electron Microscope [TEM] which revealed the size, shape and crystallinity of the AgNPs formed. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy [FTIR] study explained that biomolecules in Soymida febrifuga aqueous leaf extract have acted as the reducing and stabilizing agents during the synthesis. The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was investigated against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The catalytic activity of the AgNPs thus synthesized was investigated by studying the degradation of methylene blue dye by sodium borohydride. The AgNPs synthesized from aqueous leaf extract of Soymida febrifuga showed effective antimicrobial and catalytic properties. The developed method can be used as substitute for the physical and chemical methods used for the synthesis of AgNPs.

Keywords: Green synthesis; Soymida febrifuga; Silver nanoparticles; Characterization; Antimicrobial activity; Catalytic activity.