Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of Decaschistia crotonifolia and its antibacterial, antioxidant, and catalytic applications

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using the aqueous leaf extract of rare medicinal plant Decaschistia crotonifolia (Dc). The spectral characterization of the biosynthesized Dc-AgNPs was carried out by using different spectral methods viz., ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed that Dc-AgNPs have surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 437 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the role of various functional groups responsible for the synthesis and the stabilization of Dc-AgNPs. In Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies, the Dc-AgNP average size is detected as 13.6 nm and all the nanoparticles are in the range of 12–18 nm with spherical shape and poly-dispersed nature. The stability of Dc-AgNPs was due to its high negative zeta potential value −26.0 mV. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the crystalline nature of Dc-AgNPs. The Dc-AgNPs proved to have effective antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial stains, also revealed excellent antioxidant and catalytic activity.