Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles by Silybum marianum (silymarin) Fruit Extract

This study was carried out to synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using Silybummarianum fruit extract which is very simple and eco-friendly method. The separation of this nanoparticle was performed by centrifugation while the identification was by UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) methods. Reduction of the Ag+ to Ag0 during exposure to the S. marianum fruit extract was followed by color change of the solution from colorless, yellow to dark brown within 24 hours. It is observed that surface Plasmon resonance peaks of the maximum absorbance of silver-nanoparticles occurs at 425 nm, indicating that AgNPs were produced. Involvement of the flavonoids group (flavolignans) in the synthesized AgNPs was manifested from the result of the FTIR. Particle size was recorded according to the data exhibited from the XRD results at 2θ around 25 nm which was calculated by using the Dubai-Scherrer equation. The silver nanoparticles synthesized by the help of silymarin fruit extract were scanned using SEM. From the SEM image reveals that the silver nanoparticle seems to be spherical in shape. From the results of the current study concluded that silymarin fruit extract could be considered as a good source for synthesis of stable AgNPs in short time, and the process of synthesis was simple, low cost and eco-friendly.