Macrophytic waste optimization by synthesis of silver nanoparticles and exploring their agro-fungicidal activity

Abstract

Enormous quantities of marine macrophytes have been accumulated in shorelines by tidal actions, which considered as organic pollution. There is a necessity to collect macrophytic biomasses from shorelines to protect the environment. This paper focused on the collection and utilization of waste macrophytic biomass for the production of silver nanoparticles. Two representative candidates, Cymodocea serrulata (Seagrass) and Padina australis (Seaweed) were selected for the study. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Spectrophotometer, FTIR, SEM, EDS and AFM and their anti-phytopathogenic activity also assessed. Results of this study revealed that C. serrulata mediated silver nanoparticles (Cs-AgNP) exhibited effective anti-fungal activity against Pyriporia oryzea (14 ± 1.5 mm), Helminthisporium oryzea (12 ± 1.4 mm), Alternaria sp. (10 ± 1.2 mm) and Padina australis mediated silver nanoparticles (Pa-AgNPs) showed potential activity against Rhizoctonia solani (16 ± 1.6 mm), Xanthomanas oryzae (15 ± 1.3 mm). The current study findings could pave a way to collect the organic waste from shorelines and deploying them for the production of value added products.