Application of Myco-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticle in the Adsorption of Malachite Green and Trypan Blue from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the application of myco-fabricated silver nanoparticles in the adsorption of Malachite green and Trypan blue from an aqueous solution. The cell biomass suspensions of fungal endophytes isolated from the leaves of Mannihot esculenta and Carica papaya were used in the silver nanoparticles. The method involved in nanoparticles characterization, decolourization and adsorption treatment efficacy used UV-spectroscopy FT-IR, XRD and SEM, spectrophotometric analysis and phytotoxicity testing. The result revealed that the endophyte strains PDA 1 and PDA 2 were identified as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. There was colour change from colourless to dark brown revealing the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles due to the formation of clumps after 24 hr. The peaks observed in FT-IR spectra reflect the role of metabolites (functional groups) which act as capping and reducing agents. The UV-Vis spectral result showed the maximum peak of PDA 1 to be 620 nm at 0.933 absorbance while that of PDA 2 were 300 nm and 450 nm at 0.684 absorbance revealing the surface plasmon resonance. The XRD peaks of the nanoparticles were clearly distinguishable and broad indicating an ultra-fine nature. The microscopic characterization of PDA 1 and PDA 2 showed the presence of flake type, a smooth and irregularly shaped granulated compact powder with bright facets. The results of the decolourization profile showed that the adsorption efficiencies of both dyes were significantly concentration and time-dependent (P < 0.05). These findings suggest the potential of these nanoparticles in the environmental remediation of harmful dyes