Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Orobanche Cernua Extract

In recent years, nanotechnology is emerging as a revolutionizing field of research with multiple disciplines of science like physics, chemistry, materials science and biology. In conventional, various chemical and physical methods are utilized for the synthesis of nanomaterials, but due to the fact of usage of a large amount of hazardous chemicals, it becomes a mandate to find an alternative eco-friendly methodology. In search of green chemistry approach, the usage of plants and microbes were of the prime target, which were considered safe, simple, nontoxic, biocompatible and environment friendly [1]. Noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag), have gained the attention of many scientific due to applications in medicine, biology, and the environment. Plant extracts are rich bioreducing agents (e.g: Secondary metabolites, enzymes and proteins) that can reduce silver ions to silver nanoparticles [2]. In this study, Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts of Orobanchecernuawas accomplished(Figure 1). This plant which lacks leaves and chlorophyll is parasite to roots of the crops [3]. Optimization of experimental conditions such as the concentration of both silver nitrate and herbal extract, temperature and pH were investigated. Furthermore, optimum conditions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was characterized with different techniquessuch as UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). UV–vis spectroscopy was indicative the Surface plasmon resonance of nanoparticles. FT- IR spectroscopy was investigated for identification and study of functional groups that are involved nanoparticles and XRD was indicative the crystalline nature and structure of the nanoparticles.