Green Synthesis
of Silver Nanoparticles using Plant Extracts and Their Applications for Water Purification
and Anti-Diabetic Properties
Alex Sharon, Gangte Manglalsiem Obed and Sundarrajan Priya
Res. J. Chem. Environ; Vol. 26(4); 27-35;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2604rjce2735; (2022)
Abstract
The study reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using green method
where plant extracts of Turmeric, curry-leaves, Ashwagandha, Arjun, Aloe vera and
Tulsi were used as reducing agents. Characterization was done using UV-Visible spectroscopy
and Scanning electron microscopy. UV-Visible spectrum showed peak absorbance around
420nm and SEM-EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of AgNPs in a size range of 50-80nm.
Ability of the synthesized AgNPs as an antimicrobial agent was studied and their
use was extended to the treatment of contaminated water.
It was found that 30μL of AgNPs effectively decontaminated water containing 103
CFU/mL E. coli within 10 minutes. The study also focuses on the effect of the nanoparticles
on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism for eukaryotic cells.
No significant effect on the growth of S. cerevisiae was observed. Effect of AgNPs
on advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) was also studied. AGEs are formed due
to non-enzymatic glycation in hyperglycemic conditions leading to secondary complications
in diabetes. AgNPs synthesized using Ashwagandha, curry-leaves and Aloe vera showed
anti-glycating properties in a concentration dependent manner. This suggests that
these properties of AgNPs may be used in many environmental and therapeutic applications
but their use should be regulated and studied in detail.
