Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Froripia subpinnata and evaluation of their antibacterial activity

ABSTRACT

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) has been achieved by a simple green chemical procedure using flavonoid-rich extract of Froripia subpinnata as a reducing agent and a capping agent. The successful formation of Ag-NPs was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectrometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FE-SEM and XRD studies showed that the formed silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average particle size of  ∼30 nm, crystalline in nature. The effects of Froripia subpinnata extract (FSE) amount, concentration of AgNO₃ and temperature were investigated on the synthesis of Ag-NPs. Furthermore, the Ag-NPs exhibited good antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacteria). Among the bacteria tested, Bacillus subtilis was found to be most susceptible to the silver nanoparticles.

KEYWORDS:

• Green synthesis
• Froripia subpinnata
• silver nanoparticles
• antibacterial potential

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Research Council of Islamic Azad University of Firoozkooh of Iran.