Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Candelula Officinalis Extract and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activity

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from root extract of Candelula officinalis (marigold) as a biomaterialis reported in the present study. Plant root extract has water soluble organic materials which help inthe reduction of silver ions and stabilization of AgNPs. Aqueous solution of silver nitrate was treatedwith root extract of C. officinalis for the formation of AgNPs. The UV-Visible spectroscopy indicatedan absorption peak at 423 nm, which indicates synthesis of AgNPs. Further characterization byDynamic Light Scattering (DLS) showed size distribution profile of synthesized silver nanoparticles(AgNPs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated the presence of spherical AgNPsin range of 14-40 nm. The formed silver nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity againstvarious microorganisms viz. Eshcherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candidaalbicans. AgNPs showed the maximum activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a inhibitionzone of 22 nm. Thus, the present study provides evidence of simple, rapid and environmental friendlyroute to synthesize AgNPs using aqueous root extract of Candelula officinalis.