M.O. VIJI^#, NEEBA WILSON
Department of Biotechnology, “St. Joseph” ’s College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, 680121

Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out from aqueous rhizome
extracts of Curcuma angustifolia, by a microwave assisted approach. Dried rhizomes were solvent
extracted with different solvents chosen in order of increasing polarity and were screened for the
phytochemicals. For nano synthesis reaction mixture was subjected to microwave radiations at 400 W
and a notable colour change from yellow to colloidal brown was observed after 30 min, which
indicated the silver reduction. The nanoparticles synthesis was further confirmed by characterization
using UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, FT-IR, PXRD, and SEM analysis. UV-Visible absorption spectra
of the reaction medium containing silver nanoparticles showed maximum absorbance at 420 nm.
FT-IR analysis confirmed reduction of Ag⁺ ions to Ag ions indicating the presence of electron donor
group in the aqueous extracts of the plant rhizome which would have acted as a reducing agent. The
PXRD and SEM analysis revealed the particle size to be between 30–50 nm, and it was found to be
spherical in structure. Antimicrobial efficacy against all the tested bacterial and fungal strains was
confirmed. Cytotoxic potential of the nanoparticles was also evaluated. This green chemistry
approach toward the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has many advantages in being an ecofriendly
and less time consuming protocol.
Key words: Curcuma angustifolia, silver nanoparticles, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: srfloweretchf@gmail.com.

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