Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized by novel biogenic method using mixed reductants.

ABSTRACT

A novel method, for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles that are eco-friendly by means of mixed reductants method, has been developed. The combined extract of Mentha viridis plant and Prunus domestica gum were used as reducing agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles of the size less than 40 nm in diameter. The effect of time and concentration on the formation of silver nanoparticles were also monitored. The silver nanoparticles formed were verified by surface Plasmon spectra using single and double beam UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The XRD technique and scanning electron microscopy were performed to analyze the crystalline structure, crystallite size and morphology. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were tested against different bacterial and fungus strains. The silver nanoparticles showed good inhibition in antimicrobial study and low MIC for bacterial strains. The antioxidant assay was performed to check the scavenging activity. In DPPH, the silver nanoparticles showed good scavenging activity and were found close to that of ascorbic acid.