GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES (AGNPS) USING MANILKARA ZAPOTA FRUIT EXTRACT: POTENTIAL ROLE IN CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE

Present study reported a simple, rapid, eco-friendly and economical method for efficient production of AgNPs utilizing Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) extract. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis was employedto ascertain the formation and stability of the synthesized AgNPs. The AgNPs were further characterized using TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), DLS, FT-IR, and XRD. The AgNPs exhibited a clear SPR band around 420 nm and were stable upto 6 months as confirmed during UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a 10-15 nm size range, as evidenced by TEM results. FT-IR spectral studies demonstrated the presence of biomolecules such as phenols, amino acids, carboxylic acids, and aldehyde in the fruit extract, which might be responsible as reducing and capping agents during the formation of nanoparticles. From the DLS studies, the particles were found to have an average diameter of 90.28 nm, zeta potential value of -24.8 mV, and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.147. The intense XRD pattern clearly revealed the face center cubic (FCC) structure as crystalline silver. The AgNPs efficiently and completely degraded methylene blue (MB) dye within 10 minutes. The AgNPs demonstrated good antioxidant activity in scavenging DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) and H₂O₂ (Hydrogen peroxide). Owing to the results, the biosynthesized AgNPs indicate potential future applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical areas.