SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING LEAF EXTRACT OF ZINGIBER ZERUMBET (L.) SMITH AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY STUDIES

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the leaf extract of a medicinal plant, Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith. Characterization of the particles was done by Uv-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies.  TEM analysis shows the presence of spherical and quasi-spherical shaped particles with the maximum of size distribution curve passing through 24 nm. The selected area x-ray diffraction (SAED) pattern and the diffraction pattern from PXRD spectrum indicate that the silver in their nanoparticles crystallize in to face centred cubic (FCC) structure. Bactericidal effect of the synthesized AgNPs against the spreading of gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcuus aureus (S. aureus) were determined. The bactericidal effect was determined in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in nutrient agar media, and the MICs are found to be 13.75 ×10⁻⁵ g/mL against E. coli and 16.50 ×10⁻⁵ g/mL against S. aureus bacteria. The antibacterial effect exhibited by these AgNPs against both the bacteria is superior compared to that exhibited by the reference compound, ciprofloxacin selected for the study.