Bio-inspired silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of a novel, non-toxic, eco-friendly biological
material namely, banana peel extract (BPE). Boiled, crushed, acetone precipitated, air-dried peel
powder was used for reducing silver nitrate. Silver nanoparticles were formed when the reaction conditions
were altered with respect to pH, BPE content, concentration of silver nitrate and incubation
temperature. The colorless reaction mixtures turned brown and displayed UV–visible spectra characteristic
of silver nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed the predominance
of silver nanosized crystallites after short incubation periods.Whenthe reaction mixtures were incubated
for 15 days, some micro-aggregates were also observed. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) studies
and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles. Fourier transform infra-red
spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the role of different functional groups (carboxyl, amine and hydroxyl) in
the synthetic process. These silver nanoparticles displayed antimicrobial activity against fungal as well
as bacterial cultures.