A superficial phyto-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their assessment on hematological and biochemical parameters in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

•Leaf extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum was explored as reducing and capping agent.•AgNPs were synthesized using leaf extracts of O. tenuiflorum (Tulasi).•Antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was assessed against multi-drug resistant pathogens.•Modulation of hemato-biochemical parameters in Labeo rohita (rohu) using AgNPs.•Suggesting use of nano based materials would be beneficial and non toxic to fish.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by phyto-reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) using aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulasi). The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV–vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The critical analyzes confirmed that spherical and ovoid crystalline AgNPs with diameter of 7–15 nm were synthesized and stabilized with plant extract as a layer. The colloidal solution of AgNPs showed significant antimicrobial activity against variety of human and fish pathogens in solid medium. The implications of colloidal AgNPs on hematological and biochemical functions of freshwater fish Labeo rohita were tested. The experiments revealed that the amount of hemoglobin and total count of blood cells were considerably increased. The activity of functional enzymes such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), anti-protease and myloperoxidase were radically improved due to the treatment of fish with colloidal AgNPs and based on this study, it was found that the colloidal AgNPs having prominent immunomodulatory effects in fresh water fish. Therefore, the plant mediated synthesized colloidal AgNPs can be used as a “immunomodulator” in aquaculture sectors instead of synthetic growth factors.

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