Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Whole Plant Extract of Vernonia cinerea L. and its Biological Activities

The present investigation deals with the biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of whole plant Vernonia cinerea L and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Parameters like concentration of reactants Silver Nitrate and whole plant extract was standardized to produce silver nano particles at 50 °C. The maximum synthesis of AgNP was obtained in 5% plant extract, pH 6 and 1 mM AgNO3 within 1 hour at 50 °C. AgNP's were characterized by using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Thermo gravimetric analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized AgNP exhibited hydroxyl free radical scavenging and reducing power activity. The synthesized AgNP exhibited antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli which was analysed by Disc diffusion method. The silver nanoparticles isolated from V. cinerea showed potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Penicillium notatum when compared to the plant extract.