Biocidal potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against fungal threats

Microbes are the major cause for the hospitalacquired infections which lead to prolonged illness, disability or even death. The increasing microbial resistance calls for the search for newer drugs. Evolving nanotechnology in drug delivery produces drug action in lesser amounts and with several times more potency. In the present work, we have synthesized AgNPs using the aqueous extracts of Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus polygonoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Portulaca oleracea, Pisonia grandis, and Kedrostis foetidissima. Sonication method yielded a facile and rapid method of biogenic synthesis of nanosilver. The TEM images revealed the synthesized AgNPs to be of size ranging between 6 and 23 nm without agglomeration. Antifungal activity of the synthesized AgNPs against C. albicans and S. cerevisiae carried out by agar well diffusion method showed good zones of inhibition disclosing the antifungal potential of the biogenic silver nanoparticles.