Synthesis of Plant Mediated gold Nanoparticles using Azima Tetracantha Lam. Leaves extract and Evaluation of their Antimicrobial Activities

Aim: The demand for nanoparticles is increasing day by day due to their wide range of applications in various areas including pharmaceutical industry. Nanoparticles are formally synthesized by chemical methods in which the toxic and flammable chemicals are used. Methods: This article reports about an effective, rapid and eco-friendly technique for the fabrication of gold nanoparticles from gold chloride solution using Azima tetracantha Lam. leaves extract. The effects of the leaves extract of Azima tetracantha, the concentration of Gold chloride solution, the time of the reaction and the effect of tem¬perature on the rate of the reaction were investigated. The synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were characterized by using various techniques such as Dynamic Light Spectroscopy (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 540 nm, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This revealed the reduction of gold ions (Au⁺) to gold metal (Au⁰) which indicated the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Results: The antimicrobial action of biosynthesized AuNPs indicated effective activity against bacterial pathogens Aeromonas liquefaciens, Enterococcus fecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella typhimurium and fungal pathogens Candida albicans, Cryptococcus sp, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum. Conclusion: This revealed that gold nanoparticles could provide a safer alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents.