Projects

Bioapproach: Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Mangrove Endophytes

The main focus was on the biogenic routes for synthesis of silver nanoparticles and it paved the way for the search of new biosources capable to reduce metals to their nano sizes. In this line, like plant, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi have been experimented and proved to be successful. But very few reports are available on the use of endophytic microorganisms for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The present study was focused on the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using endophytes, from mangrove plants located at Aayirumthengu mangrove forests on the south west coastal region of Kerala, as a biological alternative to the chemical method. The silver nanoparticle synthesized were confirmed by UV/VIS spectroscopy and were characterized by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the analysis of size. The particles obtained were of size around 100 nm. 

The silver nanoparticles were screened out for the presence of antibacterial activity against standard bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, E. Coli, Bacillus subtilis etc and also for their role as antibiotic enhancer. The results of these studies revealed significant antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles against the used bacterial test pathogens and were also capable of enhancing efficiently the antibacterial activities of tetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa strains.