U. SIVAGAMASUNDARI* AND SAMBANDAN KATHIRVELU
Department of Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Bangalore-560 077 (Karnataka), India
*e-mail: dr.sundari@kristujayanti.com; Mobile: 99439 09597)
(Received: June 7, 2025; Accepted: July 26, 2025)
ABSTRACT
A growing need drives increasing attention to produce silver nanoparticles from green sources across various biological sciences sectors. This investigation used aqueous silver nitrate at room temperature to determine the presence of silver nanoparticles in leaf extracts from Eichhornia crassipes and Prosopis juliflora. To observe silver ion (Ag+) depletion, 10 ml of each leaf extract combined with a 90 ml, 1 mM aqueous silver nitrate solution. Conversion of silver nitrate to silver ions changed the leaf extracts colour from colourless to deep brown, indicating the presence of silver ions. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis at varying incubation times supported the presence of silver nanospheres. While a slight difference existed in the two weeds ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles, silver ion reduction was well-documented under controlled conditions at various incubation times and pH levels. This pilot project could give these noxious weed plant species a foundation for innovative use in future nanotechnology-based industries.
Key words: Nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles, green synthesis, Eichhornia crassipes, Prosopis juliflora