Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using <i>Olea europaea</i> Leaves Extract and its Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

This paper reports a rapid and ecofriendly green method for the synthesis of silver nonoparticles from silver nitrate solution using <i>O</i><i>lea europaea</i> leaves extract. Effect of <i>Olea europaea</i> leaves extract, silver nitrate concentration, reaction time and temperature on reaction rate were investigated. The synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPS) were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). UV-vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 430 nm. This reveals the reduction of silver ions (Ag<SUP>+</SUP>) to silver (Ag<SUP>o</SUP>) which indicates the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The antibacterial activity of green synthesized AgNPs showed effective inhibitory activity against water borne pathogens <i>Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella and Staphylococcus aureus.</i> This reveals that silver nanoparticles could provide a safer alternative to conventional antimicrobial and antibacterial agents.