Application of Gymnema sylvestre Leaves Extract for Iron Nanoparticles Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation

In this research study, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized using Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae) leaves extract. Iron(III) ions present in ammonium ferrous sulphate hexahydrate were reduced to FeNPs by phytoconstituents in Gymnema sylvestre leaves extract. The characteristics of biosynthesized FeNPs were studied by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyzer (PSA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The typical absorption peak was found to lie within 650-700 nm due to the excitation of surface plasmon vibration in FeNPs. The spherical structures of FeNPs were found in the range of 8-40 nm with average particle size of 405.8 nm. The antibacterial study of the biosynthesized FeNPs was performed against Gram-positive (B. subtilis) bacteria and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria by the agar well dispersion technique. The zone of inhibition of antibacterial activity of FeNPs against B. subtilis and E. coli bacteria was found to be 27.5 and 29 mm, respectively.