Synthesis of chitosan mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for potential antimicrobial applications

Synthesis of chitosan mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and its characterization were fulfilled by UV-vis spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. UV-visible absorption spectrum revealed that the formation efficiency of Ag NPs was increased by the addition of chitosan. In addition, the size decrement of NPs was more remarkable at a higher chitosan concentration. XRD pattern has indicated that Ag NPs were spherical structured and crystalline in nature (JCPDS card no: 65-2871). The AFM and TEM images examined the surface morphology and the size of the synthesized NPs. DLS image confirmed the size distribution and range of the Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs showed highly potent antibacterial and antifungal activities. The study suggested that crustacean waste could be a cheaper source for the production of Ag NPs which could be useful in various medical applications for biomedicine research and may create a new market for sea food with products such as chitin and chitosan.