Eco-Friendly Phyto-Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Jatropha Seedcake Extract

Phytosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is gaining importance due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, an aqueous extract of Jatropha seedcake (JSC) is assessed as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The maximum reduction of silver ions occur when 1 mM AgNO₃ solution is treated with 0.1 volume fraction of JSC extract in boiling water bath for 10 min. The synthesis of AgNPs is monitored by the excitation of surface plasmon resonance using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The AgNPs are found to be mono-dispersed, spherical with average particle size of 10.48 ± 74 nm when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) ring pattern indicated the polycrystalline nature of the AgNPs. The x-ray diffraction data further confirm the presence of characteristic (111), (200), (220), (311) and (222) diffraction planes of face centered cubic structure, and the calculated lattice parameter comes out to be 4.083 ?. FTIR analysis reveals the involvement of proteins and phenols in reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs have significant antibacterial action on both the Gram positive and negative bacteria.