GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING NEEM LEAVES AND STUDY OF THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

In the present work, Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves. Silver salt was added to aqueous leaf extract, which was used as reducing as well as capping agent. Characterizations of the synthesized nanoparticles have been done using XRD, SEM, optical absorption and emission. The absorbance maxima was observed at 410nm for Neem. The presence of biomolecules responsible for reduction of metal ions in Neem leaves was studied using FTIR. The effect of various parameters like concentrations, reaction pH, mixing ratio of the reactants, temperature and interaction time on the morphology and size of synthesized silver nanoparticles were studied. Silver nanoparticles of spherical shape were obtained. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle were found to have enhanced antimicrobial property and showed zone of inhibition against isolated bacteria from garden soil sample. Based on the results obtained it can be said that the resources obtained from plants can be efficiently used in the production of silver nanoparticle and it could be utilized in various fields such as biomedical, nanotechnology and so on.