Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ficus Religiosa Linn Leaf Extract

Abstract

Nanotechnology is always a promising field for many new technological innovations. Turning Chemical process green also gains more attention of researchers due to high environmental concern. The process that involves ecofriendly procedures, use of less toxic solvents, less toxic byproducts, use of cheaper raw materials are all becoming ever increase in demand for current research scenario. Plants especially those having medicinal properties are beneficial for synthesizing nanoparticles as it will add to improve antibacterial properties of prepared nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are widely synthesized using chemical as well as biological methods out of which biological methods served to be a better option for getting biocompatible nanoparticles. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under room temperature was prepared by a one-pot synthesis method using leaf extract of Ficus religiosa Linn. Silver nanoparticles play a key role in many biomedical applications. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques like UV-Vis spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy and XRD. UV–Visible spectrum of the synthesized silver nanoparticles showed an absorption peak at around 447nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that phytocomponents are responsible for the bio-reduction of silver ions and acts as capping material for stabilizing silver nanoparticles. The surface morphology of silver nanoparticles was identified by SEM. Further XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of synthesized silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial activities against both gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Thus silver nanoparticles synthesized from Ficus religiosa Linn can be seen as a promising agent in targeted drug delivery, cosmetic applications, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, etc. The results also confirmed this protocol as a simple, fast, cost-effective, environment-friendly, and biocompatible method.