Phytosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Medicinal and Dye Yielding Plant of Bixa Orellana L. Leaf Extract

Here in , we report a n environmentally friendly approach to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The bio a ctive compounds found in plants induce the reduction of silver ions from silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles. We report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and also phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract using dye yielding plant Bixa orellana . The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was detected by changing colour from yellowish green to brown after treatment with silver nitrate ( 1mM). The synthesized part icles were characterized by UV - v is Spect r oscopy, s canning electron microscopy, FTIR, and X - ray d iffractometry. UV - visible spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver ions demonstrated a peak at 439 nm corresponding to the p lasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. FT - IR analysis indicated the involvement of carboxyl, hydroxyl, phenol and amine functional groups. The phytochemical analysis of the extract has also been carried out which indicated presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols and tannins . X - ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum of the silver nanoparticles exhibited 2θ values corresponding to the silver n ano crystal and scanning electron m icroscopy revealed the size of silver nanoparticles in the range of 35 - 65nm.