BIOSYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER AND GOLD NANOPARTICLES USING AQUEOUS STEM EXTRACT OF ALHAGI MAURORUM

Green synthesis is a cheaper, clean, nontoxic route for the synthesis of large scale nanoparticles without the use of high energy, pressure, temperature, and toxic chemicals. With the help of microbial enzyme and plant extract nanoparticles are easily synthesized by utilizing their antioxidant and reducing properties. In the present study, biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles by utilizing Alhagi maurorum stem aqueous extract reducing capabilities was successfully done. Nanoparticles synthesized were characterized with the help of UV – VIS spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR). UV – VIS spectroscopic analysis showed absorption maxima at 450 nm and 540 nm for silver (AgNP) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) respectively. TEM study revealed that the silver and gold nanoparticles synthesized were in the range of 26-40 nm and possesses a crystalline structure having a nearly spherical shape. FTIR spectra of both AgNP and AuNP also confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles and involvement of various reducing agent of plant extract. No change in the intensity of the AgNP and AuNP has been noticed even after 120 days of storage at room temperature. Thus, the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles with the help of Alhagi maurorum stem aqueous extract was reducing capabilities seems to be a promising approach for utilizing weed as a source for larger scale production of nanoparticles.