Comparing the function of aqueous extract of mangrove plants Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata in biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles

In this study, the leaf extract activity of two species of mangrove plants, Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae family) and Rhizophora mucronata (Rhizophoraceae) was compared in biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs were investigated using spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Absorption spectrum in 420 nm confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs. The evaluation of the recorded TEM images from silver nanoparticles showed that the size of nanoparticles synthesized by A. marina was in the range of 0 to 75 nm and the size of nanoparticles synthesized by R. mucronata was in the range of 0 to 80 nm. The results of FE-SEM image analysis showed nanoparticles with a size between 15 to 43 and 10 to 19 nm for A. marina and R.mucronata, respectively. The results of EDS indicated the presence of 51.6% and 73.5% silver in nanoparticles synthesized by A. marina and R. mucronata, respectively. Results suggest that the leaf extracts of both mangrove species are able to reduce the Ag+ into Ag0 in the solution of AgNO3 at room temperature and synthesize silver nanoparticles of very suitable nanometric dimensions.