Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are used extensively in areas such as medicine, catalysis, electronics, environmental science, and biotechnology. Therefore, facile synthesis of SNPs from an eco-friendly, inexpensive source is a prerequisite. In the present study, fabrication of SNPs from the leaf extract of Butea monosperma (Flame of Forest) has been performed. SNPs were synthesized from 1% leaf extract solution and characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism of SNP formation was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and anti-algal properties of SNPs on selected toxic cyanobacteria were evaluated. TEM analysis indicated that size distribution of SNPs was under 5 to 30 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the role of amide I and II linkages present in protein in the reduction of silver ions. SNPs showed potent anti-algal properties on two cyanobacteria, namely, Anabaena spp. and Cylindrospermum spp. At a concentration of 800 μg/ml of SNPs, maximum anti-algal activity was observed in both cyanobacteria. This study clearly demonstrates that small-sized, stable SNPs can be synthesized from the leaf extract of B. monosperma. SNPs can be effectively employed for removal of toxic cyanobacteria.
Highlights
Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are used extensively in areas such as medicine, catalysis, electronics, environmental science, and biotechnology
The synthesis was confirmed by a dark brown color of the solution
At a concentration of 1.0% leaf extract, the solution was yellow in the beginning and turned dark brown on standing (Figure 2C)
Summary
Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are used extensively in areas such as medicine, catalysis, electronics, environmental science, and biotechnology. Nanotechnology is an emerging branch of science which deals with synthesis and characterization of various metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles of different compositions, sizes, and shapes [1]. Nanoparticles are being extensively used in areas such as medicine, catalysis, electronics, environmental science, and biotechnology [4]. Silver has been known for its excellent antimicrobial properties and Chaturvedi and Verma Bioresources and Bioprocessing (2015) 2:18 importance to the native people. Leaves of this plant exhibit anti-inflammatory activity and are used to control giardiasis caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia [14]. There is no report on the synthesis of SNPs using this plant
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