SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM COLUTEA ARMATA AND ASSESSMENT OF INHIBITORY EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF PYROFOMES DEMIDOFII

Introduction: Nano biotechnology which involves modern research dealing with synthesis, strategy and manipulation of particles structure ranging from 1 to 100 nm in size. The silver at nano scale can be used in just about all fields, such as antimicrobial coating, ecological wellbeing, chemical industries, catalysis, drug delivery and bio sensing with tremendous unique and effective properties. Production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from plant is a more advantageous route of green synthesis, over chemical and physical scheme as it is cost effective and environment friendly. The resistant wood rotor pathogenic fungus Pyrofomes demidofii found on juniper trees in Juniper forest around the globe together with Pakistan. The fungus is environmental threat and white heart rot disease caused in tree trunks. Keeping in view the above facts, the present study was designed to investigate the synthesis of AgNPs through green route with plant extract Colutea Armata; assessment of inhibitory potential of AgNPs on growth of forest fungi Pyrofomes demidofii to adjoin innovative approach for ecological wellbeing. Materials and method: The synthesis of AgNPs was carried out through green route by utilization of methanolic extract of plant Colutea armata and 1mM solution of silver nitrate without addition of foreign stabilizing or capping agent. Assessment of inhibitory potential of plant extract and AgNPs on growth of fungi Pyrofomes demidofii was done using disk diffusion method. The manufactured AgNPs was characterized with UV-Vis spectroscopy, Infra red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Atomic Force Microscopy. Results: The study revealed that during synthesis of AgNPs, Colutea Armata, plant extract found as an effective reducing engine for the reduction of silver ions of silver salt solution to zero valent silver at nano scale dimension due to having potential bio active metabolites. Characterization revealed the small, stable and spherical shaped AgNPs with poly dispersion regarding size. Plant metabolites polyphenols, carbohydrates and carboxylic acids were involved in reduction, stabilization and capping of AgNPs in synthesis. Moreover synthesized AgNPs were found effective antifungal agent against selected wood rotor fungus. Key Words: Synthesis, silver nanoparticles, Colute armata, Pyrofomes demidofii, Juniper tree, white heart rot disease