Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Wrightia tinctoria fruit extracts

Abstract

Nanoparticles are synthesized by using various chemical methods in higher yields but they are not very environmentally friendly and have hazardous effects on living cells. This can be attributed to the overuse of hazardous chemicals involved in the process. The green approach of nanoparticle synthesis is widely gaining attention worldwide as it is considered as nontoxic, harmless and ecofriendly. Apart from this they also have multiple applications in various fields of science and technology. Nanoparticles synthesized by using various phytochemicals are also effective against a variety of microbial populations. The objective of this study is to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the fruit extracts of Wrightia tinctoria and evaluating its antimicrobial capacities against gram-positive and negative bacterial strains. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using different solvent extracts of Wrightia tinctoria pods. The formation of silver nanoparticles was noted by detecting the change in color of the solution. The presence of nanoparticles was detected by performing UV visible spectroscopy and monitoring the spectrum from 400 nm to 800 nm. A small peak at 425 nm suggested the presence of silver nanoparticles. In a later part of the study, the inhibitory effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on the growth of E. coli and S. aureus was monitored. The appearance of a zone of inhibition further confirmed the antimicrobial effect of the synthesized nanoparticles.