Biopotential of Verbesina encelioides (stem and leaf powders) in silver nanoparticle fabrication

Nanotechnology has opened new opportunities in the field of medical sciences and pharmaceuticals. Commercially, nanoparticles are in great demand in electronics, catalysis, chemistry, energy, and medicine. Today in nanoparticle production green synthesis, using biological material including medicinal plants as a starting material, is in vogue. In the present investigation the powder extract (stems and leaves) of an important medicinal plant, Verbesina encelioides, was used for the biosynthesis of bionanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were screened and characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR analyses. The particles were then subjected to antimicrobial assay. Comparative analyses of the antimicrobial behavior of aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts and bionanoparticles against 2 bacteria (Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae) and 2 fungi (Aspergillus niger and A. flavus) are described.