Green Synthesis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Silver Nanoparticles in Extracts of Acorus calamus and Agaricus bisporus

Nanoparticles are in increasing commercial demand due to their wide applicability in various areas such as catalysis, chemistry, energy and medicine. Green chemistry is the best option to opt for the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Agaricus bisporus and Acorus calamus are used medicinally in Ayurvedic medicines. The present work conducted endeavored to determine antioxidant activity of the extracts made. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using an aqueous extract of Acorus calamus & Agaricus bisporus. They were characterized by using UV spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Plant extracts were incubated with Silver Nitrate Solution (AgNO3) and the color change was observed as dark reddish brown. The presence of Ag nanoparticles was analyzed between the wavelengths 400-550 nm. SEM & TEM determined the size of the nanoparticles determined by SEM & TEM. The antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH (1, 1diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging method for different solvents of Acorus calamus and Agaricus bisporus which showed that methanol extract on higher concentration possesses better antioxidant potential when compared to standard. They exhibited strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity with 66.3% and 59.2% respectively for ascorbic acid equivalence. The absorbance for reducing power was found to be in increasing order with an increase in concentration.

Methanolic extract displayed an increased antioxidant activity extract, could be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols. Also, the study reveals that the silver nanoparticles from methanol extract show better activity than the normal aqueous extract.