GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING FRUIT EXTRACT OF MALUS DOMESTICA AND STUDY OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

The green synthesis route, in comparison to the conventional chemical and physical procedures, is an easy and eco-friendly alternative to synthesize metallic nanoparticles. Here, we report a cost-effective, clean and fast bio-process to synthesize Ag nanoparticles after reduction of Ag+ using apple (Malus domestica) fruit extract. The formation of silver nanoparticles was first examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Different phases and morphology of Ag nanoparticles were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the biomolecules responsible for reduction and stabilization of Ag nanoparticles. Antimicrobial property of our synthesized Ag nanoparticles was tested against three common bacteria- Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli and two fungi- Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus wentii by conventional disc diffusion procedure. The inhibition zone, formed on the discs in presence of silver nanoparticles, proved effective antimicrobial property of these nanoparticles against the tested bacterial and fungal strains.