s Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle using Sechium edule Aqueous Extract and Study of Antimicrobial and Catalytic Activity

Background and Objective: A cost effective and environment friendly biomimetic green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Chayote squash is demonstrated. In north eastern region of India chayote is known as Squash and used for benefit for stomach. Method: Therefore, we have used the Squash vegetable extract which is widely available, cheap and has antioxidant properties for the synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles is tested by various spectroscopic techniques like, UV-Vis, FTIR-spectroscopy and Xray diffraction (XRD). The advantage of our method lies on the fact that squash acts both as a reducing agent and a stabilizer of silver nanoparticles. The carbohydrate and the fiber part most probably act as stabilizers. Results and Conclusion: The synthesized nanoparticles are found to show antimicrobial activity and catalytic activity toward the reduction of methylene blue. The reduction of methylene blue by Ag-NPs in the presence of Sechium edule aqueous extract is attributed to the electron relay effect.