Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Reduced and Stabilized by Cashew Tree Gum

Abstract

The advance in nanotechnology has enabled us to utilize particles in the size of the nanoscale. Among the most promising nanomaterials with antibacterial properties are metallic nanoparticles, which exhibit increased chemical activity due to their large surface to volume ratios. In the case of silver, the currently available data reveals the potential benefits and the wide range of applications. In this context, the application of green chemistry in the nano-science and technology is very important in the area of the preparation of various materials. The present study describes the development and the characterization of a rapid and low cost green synthesis of silver nanoparticles reduced and stabilized by exuded gum from Anacardium occidentale L. and evaluates in vitro their antibacterial activity. Characterization of cashew tree gumbased silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out based on UV-Vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The main results revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape, measuring about 4.5 to 6.5 nm in size with a uniform dispersal. AgNPs presented antibacterial activity, especially against Gram-negative bacteria.