Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. fruit juice and peel extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and their applications as antimicrobial agents and plant growth enhancers

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NP) has emerged as a recent trend in green chemistry. However, their potential the field agriculture is yet underexplored. In this study, silver (Ag NPs) were synthesized by using fruit juice and peel extract Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. reducing capping agent. The nano-primed seeds Zea mays, Glycine max, Cicer arietinum showed enhanced germination rate up to 90% compared respective control (30-60%) also plant growth. HRTEM images fruit-mediated Ag NPs well-dispersed particles. XRD diffraction pattern confirmed crystalline nature with fcc lattice points 101, 111, 200, 220, 311 an average crystal size 19.1275±1.73 nm. On other hand, peel-mediated exhibited range 10-20 nm 19.09±1.71 FTIR spectra presence ʋC=C-H, ʋCH2, ʋC=O (stretch), ʋC=C ʋC-H (bend), ʋC-O (bend) extract. antimicrobial effects against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia).