Green Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles from the Medicinal Plant Vernonia amygdalina

Silver nanoparticles of different concentrations were synthesized from the medicinal plant Vernonia amygdalina biologically, as this technique is cost effective and environment friendly. The characterization of the silver nanoparticles was analysed by the UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR). The absorption spectra of silver nanoparticles studied using the UV-Vis spectroscopy, had an absorbance peak at 475nm, in all the three different concentrations (1mM, 3mM and 5mM) of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles have a 50-70nm size range and appeared to be dominantly spherical and were occasionally triangular. The XRD pattern revealed that these silver nanoparticles have a crystalline nature. The antimicrobial activity of these nanoparticles was studied against E.coli, S.aureus, P.aeuruginosa, and C.albicans. They appeared to have satisfactory inhibitions against the four mentioned microorganisms. Among the different concentrations used in the study, the 3mM (20mg/500μl distilled water) appeared to have the highest sensitivity.