PHYTO-MEDIATED SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM ANNONA MURICATA FRUIT EXTRACT, ASSESSMENT OF THEIR BIOMEDICAL AND PHOTOCATALYTIC POTENTIAL

Plant extract-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles has proven to be a novel, rapid, cost-effective, non-toxic and eco-friendly method.  For the first time, biological material in the form of aqueous extract of Annona muricata fruit (AMF) was successfully utilized for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).  The various parameters such as metal ion concentration, volume of the extract, temperature, reaction time and pH influencing nanoparticle synthesis have also been optimized.  The structural and elemental components of the synthesized AgNPs were characterized.  The UV-vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance peak at 421nm.  Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed capping of nanoparticles with plant constituents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated a face-centered crystalline nature with an average size of 19 nm. Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed their spherical shape and the presence of elemental silver were determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).  Further, assessment of the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and photocatalytic property of biogenic silver nanoparticles attest to their utility for several biomedical and industrial applications.