SILVER NANOPARTICLES: GREEN SYNTHESIS, OPTICAL PROPERTIES, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND ITS MECHANISM USING CITRUS SINENSIS

Objective: Novelty and size specificity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) containing products gained popularity in today's world. The presentinvestigation involves the biosynthesis of AgNPs from Ag nitrate using the peel extract of Citrus sinesis, is facile, worthwhile and promising approachtoward environment protection.Methods: The analytical techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscope(AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, were used to characterizesynthesized nanoparticles. The antimicrobial activity of synthesized nanoparticle has also been examined on selected microbes.Results: A UV-Vis spectrum shows peak absorption at 425 and 475 nm. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of protein as the stabilizingagent surrounding the AgNPs. The SEM and AFM results show average diameter of almost 80 nm, whereas DLS results show average diameter of theprepared nanoparticles 110 nm. The EDX spectrum confirmed the presence of an elemental Ag signal. Encouraging results were obtained againstStaphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus.Conclusion: AgNPs were found to be effective against selected microbes.Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Atomic force microscope, Energy-dispersive X-ray, Scanning electron microscope, Staphylococcus epidermidis,Bacillus cereus