Bio-synthesis and applications of silver nanoparticles onto cotton fabrics

Recently, biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles has drawn considerable attention due to environment-ecofriendly and sustainable methods. Herein, fungus Fusarium solani was selected as candidate for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Factors affecting the biomass concentration, pH of the reaction medium, AgNO3 concentration and the ratio of AgNO3 to biomass concentration on the production of AgNPs were extensively studied. Optimum conditions for biosynthesis of AgNPs could be attained using biomass of F. solani (10 g/100 ml); AgNO3 (0.078 g/100 ml); pH, 12; temperature, 25 °C and duration, 24 h. Under these conditions, the maximum concentration of well stabilized AgNPs obtained was 2000 ppm with a mean diameter range of 8–15 nm. Such solution is unequivocally feasible for industrial applications. A diluted solution containing 50 ppm AgNPs was applied to cotton fabrics which imparts antibacterial activity to the fabric with 97% and 91% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively.