Eco-friendly and low cost synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Fig Ficus carica leaves extract from estahban

Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles through various physical and chemical routes has been broadly reported. However, green synthesis of metal nanoparticles by biological entities are currently in the attention due to the simplicity, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly protocol[1]. Based on our knowledge, plant extracts are among the best platforms for the syntheises of nanoparticles; being free from toxic chemicals as well as providing natural capping agents for the stabilization of silver nanoparticles. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in the fields of consumer products, catalysis, optoelectronics, chemical sensing, biological imaging, antimicrobial therapy, gene silencing and drug delivery[2].Fig leaf extraction contains significant amounts of polyphenolic compounds and can serve as a source of antioxidants, including α-tocopherol, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and tannins[3]. The biological reduction in conversion of Ag+ to Ag° based on the ability of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and amine to react with silver ions leading to their reduction and subsequently capping around nanoparticles imparting stability to synthesized silver nanoparticles[4].In this report we used aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Estahban fig ficus carica cv. sabz in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Formation of AgNPs was initially confirmed by the color change from yellow to dark brow. The optical and structural properties of the resulting silver nanoparticles were studied using UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDAX), as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM).