Plukenetia volubilis L. Seed flour mediated biofabrication and characterization of silver nanoparticles

Fabrication of nanoparticles by ecofriendly, cost-effective and energy-efficient route is an emerging technique due to its several advantages over the conventional chemical routes. The present article reports biosynthesis and stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) using Andean Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seed flour (SISF). The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED), infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV-vis spectra had maximum absorbance of 445 nm confirming the formation of AgNps. TEM and DLS analysis confirmed that the as-synthesized AgNps are spherical with an average size range of 10-40 nm. The crystallinity and lattice pattern of the AgNps were characterized by SAED and XRD. Infrared spectrum measurements were carried out to hypothesize the involvement of SISF phytochemicals in the effective reduction of silver ions to AgNps, stability, and robustness against particle agglomeration. The photocatalytic degradation activity of as-synthesized AgNps exhibited > 39% against methyl orange dye.

Automated summary

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNps) were successfully biosynthesized and stabilized using Andean Sacha inchi seed flour. Characterization techniques confirmed the spherical shape and average size range of 10-40 nm for the AgNps, as well as their stability and photocatalytic degradation activity against methyl orange dye.