Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Phyto-Constituents of Ficus Auriculata Lour. Leaf Extract: Mechanistic Approach

Reen synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using Ficus auriculata leaf decoction as a reducing agent has been elucidated with possible mechanism of reaction. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence phenolics, carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins. HPTLC fingerprinting and further UPLC-Q-TOF mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of the flavonoid glycoside, rutin in the extract. The extract showed good antioxidant property in DPPH model. SEM and TEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles formed were of different morphologies with an average size of 19-21 nm. FT-IR spectral analysis showed the role of hydroxyl groups in the phytoconstituents as reducing agent in synthesis. The synthesized silver nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial potential when analysed against Photobacterium leiognathi, a very sensitive and accurate biosensor, by luminometry. Synthesized silver nanoparticles showed good morphological, dimensional and pharmacological properties.