Green Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles by Gum Tragacanth (<i>Astragalus gummifer</i>): A Dual Functional Reductant and Stabilizer

Abstract

A simple and ecofriendly procedure have been devised for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of gum tragacanth ( Astragalus gummifer ), a renewable, nontoxic natural phyto‐exudate. The water soluble components in the gum act as reductants and stabilizers. The generated nanoparticles were analyzed using UV‐visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The role of gum concentration and reaction time on the synthesis of nanoparticles was studied. By regulating the reaction conditions, spherical nanoparticles of 13.1 ± 1.0 nm size were produced. Also, the possible functional groups involved in reduction and capping of nanoparticles has been elucidated. The antibacterial activity of the fabricated nanoparticles was tested on model Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacterial strains with well‐diffusion method. These nanoparticles exhibited considerable antibacterial activity on both the Gram classes of bacteria, implying their potential biomedical applications.