Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Rotheca serrata leaves and evaluation of their antimicrobial potential

A biosynthesis of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was obtained from an extract of Rotheca serrata leaves. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by various techniques such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, Infra-Red spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. Surface plasmon resonance in UV–Vis analysis exhibited a characteristic peak at 390 nm. TEM analysis described the spherical shape of the synthesized nanoparticles. The average size of biosynthesized AgNPs was found to be ~26 nm which was also confirmed by XRD calculations. The synthesized AgNPs were then evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity. The antibacterial activity was found remarkable against B. cerus and E. coli. Antifungal activity against A. niger and C. albicans confirms the superiority of the material. It has been demonstrated that biosynthesized AgNPs are affordable, safe for the environment, stable, repeatable, and very effective against fungi.