GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLE USING MYRISTICA FRAGRANS (NUTMEG) SEED EXTRACT AND ITS BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Green nanotechnology is generating attention of researchers toward ecofriendly biosynthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, the possible role of nutmeg extract in reducing silver nitrate into silver nanoparticle is highlighted. These biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized with the help of UV-visible spectrophotometer, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that Myristica fragrans seed extract can reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles within 12 min of reaction time. The surface plasmon resonance peak, centered near 410 nm, affirmed the reduction of Ag+ to Ag-0. Stability of synthesized silver nanoparticles was analyzed using UV-visible absorption spectra. Transmission electron microscopy images show the presence of silver nanoparticles in the size range 7-20 nm. These biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were found to be stable for 3 months. Rapid and ecofriendly biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles was observed in this study. The crystalline nature of these biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was analyzed by X-ray diffraction studies. With the help of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis the possible role of proteins and phenols as a reducing and capping agent was inferred. These silver nanoparticles synthesized from biological route also showed promising antibacterial effects against test microorganisms.