Rapid biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Kalopanax pictus plant extract and their antimicrobial activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have promising potential in biomedicine, energy science, optics, and health care applications. We synthesized AgNPs using plant, Kalopanax pictus leaf extract. UV-visible spectrophotometric study showed the characteristic peak for AgNPs at wavelength 430 nm. The optical density at 430 nm increased after addition of plant leaf extract, indicating increase in formation of nanoparticles. Comparative time course analyses for AgNP synthesis carried out at different reaction temperatures (20, 60, and 90 degrees C) revealed higher reaction rate for K. pictus than Magnolia kobus plant leaf extract, which showed highest AgNP synthesis rate in the previous report. Electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of well dispersed AgNPs, predominantly with spherical shapes. In transmission electron microscopy, the particle size decreased with increase in temperature. Electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses indicated that Ag content increased with increase in reaction temperature. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy studies revealed capping of bioorganics from plant to the synthesized AgNPs. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized AgNPs against Escherichia coli increased with increase in reaction temperature. The observations in this study will prove beneficial in approaching rapid synthesis of AgNPs and their antimicrobial application.