ECOFRIENDLY GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM ROOT EXTRACT OF Echinops kebericho AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

The present study was performed for the rapid and simple production of silver nanoparticles from the aqueous root extract of Echinops kebericho. The root extract showed both the reducing as well as capping ability. The major compounds responsible for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles were analyzed using FTIR. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using different techniques including UV–Visible spectrometer and TEM. TEM studies revealed nanoparticles with an average size of 34 nm. UV–Visible spectrometer produced a peak in the range of 420–435 nm. Antimicrobial studies with silver nanoparticles suggested observable antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) bacteria. A significant increase in flavonoid and phenolic compounds was observed upon an increase in the plant extract. Antioxidant activity using DPPH showed a reduction of DPPH by plant extract. The overall result suggests the rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles in less than 15 minutes. Further, the absence of any chemical in the synthesis of the nanoparticles makes them non–toxic, eco–friendly and an alternative to conventional physical/chemical methods.