Controlled Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Culture Supernatant of Filamentous Fungus

The focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of some parameters influencing the size and size distribution of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced by culture supernatant of Fusarium oxysporum. Results revealed that in the reaction solution containing equal volume of silver nitrate and culture supernatant; pH, temperature, and light source can control the AgNP’s characteristics. The particle size decreased with an increase in pH. The average size of AgNPs, formed in reaction solutions, decreased as temperature increased from 40 °C to 121 °C. The smallest AgNPs with the highest polydispersity (average size of 14nm and PDI of 0.37) were obtained in reaction solution incubated at 121 °C. Also, the use of UV radiation in reaction solution resulted in the production of the very small AgNPs with the narrowest size distribution (average size of 9.7nm and PDI of 0.2). X-ray diffraction analysis verified the crystalline nature of synthesized AgNPs. Also, transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the production of spherical shape nanoparticles.