Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using medicinal plants

Abstract

Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are being widely using in the field of medicine. Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out by using medicinal plant extracts for the reduction of aqueous silver ions in short period. The silver nanoparticles formation was confirmed by the colour change of plant extracts (SNPs) and further confirmed with the help of UV-Vis spectroscopy. These Phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities using disc diffusion method. The test cultures are Proteus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Bacillus and E.coli species of bacteria and Aspergillus, Fusarium, Curvularia and Rhizopus species of fungal were used. The microbial property of silver nanoparticles was analyzed by measuring the inhibition zone. The silver nanoparticles synthesized from stem bark extracts of Boswellia and Shorea; and leaf extract of Svensonia. The SNPs synthesized from bark extracts of Boswellia ovalifoliolata and Shorea tumbuggaia showed toxic towards Klebsiella and Aspergillus; and Pseudomonas and Fusarium species respectively. Whereas the growth of Pseudomonas and Rhizopus species were inhibited maximum by the SNPs synthesized from leaf extract of Svensonia hyderobadensis, the results indicate that the silver nanoparticles may have an important advantage over conventional antibiotics.