Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Lemon Extract and its Antibacterial Activity

The physical and chemical methods employed in production of silver nanoparticles are expensive and the reagents used are harmful. This project deals with the production of silver nanoparticles using biological methods. Silver nitrate is reduced by biological extracts. Thus, the production is mainly dependent on the reducing ability of the plant used. Lemon extract has been used for the synthesis of Silver nanoparticles. The characterization of the silver nanoparticles was done using UV-Spectra, AFM and SEM. SEM analysis showed that the size of nanoparticles obtained by lemon extract and silver nitrate solution was around 75nm. Further analysis was carried out by varying parameterspH, temperature, concentration of AgNO3 and concentration of stabilizer. The nanoparticles obtained were then used to find the antibacterial activity. The silver nanoparticles were effective in inhibition of bacteria like E.coli and Bacillus subtilis. The diameter of inhibition zones formed by using silver nanoparticles was around 3mm.