Phytosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities

Use of nanotechnology in biological systems by the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a burning area of research in recent times. In the present investigation, aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata was used to produce silver nanoparticles by reduction of silver nitrate. It was noted that the synthesizing process was quite rapid and silver nanoparticles form within minutes of silver ions coming in contact with plant extract. UV-Vis spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver ions indicated a peak at 432nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of the silver nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the silver nanoparticles showed the presence of proteins that might be acting as capping agents around the nanoparticles. From scanning electron microscopy analysis, the size of the silver nanoparticles was measured and it was found that the average size was between 40 and 60nm. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited effective inhibition zones against seven bacterial strains tested. Among the bacteria tested Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be most susceptible to the silver nanoparticles. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids.