A study on extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles from endophytic fungi, isolated from ethanomedicinal plants Curcuma longa and Catharanthus roseus

Biological method is considered as eco-friendly and reliable process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) in the field of nanotechnology due to its tremendous applications in various fields. In this study we have isolated a total of twelve endophytic fungi from leaves of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Catharanthus roseus out of which six endophytic fungi showed their ability to synthesized AgNps from silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution which splits into a positive silver ion (Ag+) and a negative nitrate ion (NO3 -) in order to turn the silver ions into solid silver (Agº). Of the six positive endophytic fungi VRD2 showed good and encouraging results and was identified as Penicillium spinulosum VRD2. UV-Visible Spectroscopy confirms the AgNps showing maximum peak at 425nm implying the bioreduction of AgNO3. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the particle are spherical and well dispersed without agglomeration size ranging from 25- 30nm.