Biosynthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Capability of Silver and Copper Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Leaf Extract of Salacia chinensis L

Salacia chinensis L. is highly valued taxa having several medicinal implications. The study aimed to synthesize and characterize the silver (AgNPs) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using the aqueous leaf extract of S. chinensis and their test against pathogenic bacteria. The silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized using different concentrations of aqueous AgNO3 and CuNO3 solutions; however 4 mM was found optimal concentration. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy and the antibacterial capability of nanoparticles were evaluated using agar well diffusion method. The AgNPs and CuNPs were formed within an hour of the reaction and showed maximum UV-Vis absorption at 445 nm and 630 nm respectively. SEM analysis revealed the size (50-200 nm) and diverse shapes (spherical, road) of the synthesized nanoparticles. The efficiency of synthesized AgNPs and CuNPs against the bacterial species viz. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas averogenosa validated the action of these nanoparticles against infections microbes. The study illustrated the capacity of leaves of S. chinensis towards the synthesis of silver and copper nanomaterial and AgNPs were found with enhanced antibacterial capability against test microbes.