Use of Aerial Roots of Ficus benghalensis for Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity

Basically, nanosubstances are developed by a variety of chemical methods which are not environmentally providential.

Aim: The present research work deals with the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aerial root of Ficus benghalensis extract. The absolute reduction of silver ions was observed after 48 h of reaction when extact combine with aqueous solution of Silver nitrate. The visual colour changes were observed during the reduction of silver ion into the silver nanoparticles in the reaction mixture allows producing dark brown colour. The formed silver nanoparticles was purified by high speed centrifugation, collected and stored for further characterization.

Methodology: The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy, and characterised by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern, FTIR, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Zeta potentiometry, ICP-AES.

Results: The results showed that UV peak at 437.5 nm, the silver content estimation by ICP-AES was found to be 413.06 µg/mL and images were recorded by using High resolution TEM. Synthesized AgNPs were found to be effective against micro-organisms responsible for bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Further In-vitro cytocompatibility studies showed lack of toxicity at even higher concentration.

Conclusion: Still, these Silver Nanoparticles are cytotoxic in nature and could serve as a good green method for synthesis of silver nanoparticle by using plant extract.