Catharanthus roseus: a natural source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE To develop a simple rapid procedure for bioreduction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaves extracts of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus). METHODS Characterization were determined by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction. RESULTS SEM showed the formation of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 67 nm to 48 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the particles were crystalline in nature with face centered cubic geometry. CONCLUSIONS C. roseus demonstrates strong potential for synthesis of silver nanoparticles by rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag(+) to Ag(0)). This study provides evidence for developing large scale commercial production of value-added products for biomedical/nanotechnology-based industries.