Green Synthesis and Antibacterial Activities of Silver Nano particles Mediated by Extract of Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin) Fruit Pith

Abstract

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a necessary field of applied science. Biological method for synthesis of AgNPs by cucurbita maxima fruit pith extracts was used. The AgNPs were identified by UV–visible spectrometry; X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The presence of surface plasmon band around 420 nm indicates AgNPs formation. Parameter optimization showed the smallest size of AgNPs (2.86 ± 0.3 nm) was obtained with 0.1 M AgNO3 at 40oC. The present study provides the proof that the molecules within aqueous cucurbita maxima fruit pith extracts facilitate synthesis of AgNPs and highlight on value-added from cucurbita maxima fruit pith and fruit peel extracts for cost effectiveness. Also, eco-friendly medical and nanotechnologybased industries could also be provided. Size of prepared AgNPs could be controlled by temperature and AgNO3 concentration. Further studies are required to study effect of more parameters on size and morphology of AgNPs as this will help in the control of large scale production of biogenic AgNPs. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are screened antibacterial activities