Antimicrobial potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using aerial yam bulbils for control of selected phytopathogens

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent have vast potential in agriculture for the protection of plants from diseases and increasing crop productivity. In this study, the bulbils of aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera L.) were investigated for their potential for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. Variation in the absorption spectra of silver nanoparticles synthesized using different concentrations of 10 to 50% (v/v) of plant extract was observed. Phytochemical analysis of aerial yam bulbils revealed high content of flavonoid (4.06 ± 0.44 mg/g), phenols (3.36 ± 0.20 mg/g) and tannins (12.42 ± 0.22 mg/g) with potential role in the bioreduction process. Highest inhibition (98-100%) was recorded against Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with 100 ppm silver nanoparticles. The inhibition zone against Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter cloacae ranged from 6.00 ± 0.41 to 11.00 ± 0.87 mm at 100 ppm concentration indicating antibacterial efficacy of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using 20% (v/v) extract at higher temperature demonstrated the most effective inhibition of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Keywords:

• Aerial yam
• antimicrobial activity
• bulbils
• plant pathogens
• silver nanoparticles

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani for the technical support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).