Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using panchakavya, an Indian traditional farming formulating agent

Abstract

Muthusamy Govarthanan,1,2 Thangasamy Selvankumar,2 Koildhasan Manoharan,3 Rajiniganth Rathika,2 Kuppusamy Shanthi,4 Kui-Jae Lee,1 Min Cho,1 Seralathan Kamala-Kannan,1 Byung-Taek Oh11Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea; 2PG and Research Department of Biotechnology, Mahendra Arts and Science College, Kalippatti, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India; 3Department of Botany, Raja Duraisingam Government Arts College, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India; 4Department of Environmental Science, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAbstract: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with biological properties is of vast significance in the development of scientifically valuable products. In the present study, we describe simple, unprecedented, nontoxic, eco-friendly, green synthesis of AgNPs using an Indian traditional farming formulating agent, panchakavya. Silver nitrate (1 mM) solution was mixed with panchakavya filtrate for the synthesis of AgNPs. The nanometallic dispersion was characterized by surface plasmon absorbance measuring 430 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed the morphology and size of the AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that proteins in the panchakavya were involved in the reduction and capping of AgNPs. In addition, we studied the antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs (1–4 mM) extensively reduced the growth rate of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Citrobacter sp., according to the increasing concentration of AgNPs.Keywords: green synthesis, panchakavya, antibacterial, environment, nanoparticles