Biosynthesis and Characterisation of Silver Nanoparticles using Leaf Extract of Achras sapota l. for its Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

<p>Nanotechnology is a field that is rapidly growing, making an impact in all spheres of human life. In the current study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the ethanolic leaf extract of <em>Achras sapota. </em>Characterization was carried out using UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-Visible spectroscopy by the colour change. Based on the XRD pattern, the crystalline property of the AgNPs was established. The functional group present in the ethanolic leaf extract of <em>Achras sapota</em> is responsible for the reduction of the Ag<sup>+</sup> ion which was studied through FTIR. From the SEM and TEM analysis, it was found that the formed nanoparticles are spherical in shape and nano in size. The biosynthesized AgNPs was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria (<em>S. aureus and L. bacillus</em>) and gram negative bacteria (<em>E. coli and P. aeruginosa</em>) using disc diffusion for preliminary screening of antimicrobial activity and dilution method for evaluation of antibacterial effectiveness and effect of silver nanoparticles on bacterial growth and it was found to exhibit potential antimicrobial activity. The biosynthesized AgNPs was found to be efficient in terms of reaction time as well as stability, eco-friendly and cost effective.</p>