Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing science of producing
and utilizing nano-sized particles. A number of approaches are
available for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, such as thermal
decomposition [1], electrochemical [2], microwave assisted
process [3] and green chemistry [4]. Many of the nanoparticle
synthesis or production methods of nanoparticles involve the
use of hazardous chemicals, low material conversions and high
energy requirements. So, a growing need to develop an environmentally
friendly process for nanoparticle synthesis without
using toxic chemicals is gaining importance. Biosyntheticmethods employing either microorganisms or plant extracts
have emerged as a simple and viable alternative to chemical
synthetic procedures and physical methods.
Several microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts,
have come up as nanofactories, synthesizing metal nanoparticles
of Ag and Au. However, the use of plants for the fabrication
of nanoparticles has drawn attention, because of its
rapid, economical, eco-friendly protocol, and it provides a single
step technique for the biosynthesis process [5]. Biological
approaches using microorganisms and plants or plant extracts
for metal nanoparticle synthesis have been suggested as valuable
alternatives to chemical methods. An important branch of
biosynthesis of nanoparticles is the application of plant extract
to the biosynthesis reaction. Synthesis of quasi spherical silver
nanoparticles used a purified apiin compound, extracted from
henna leaf at ambient conditions [6]. Using green tea, C. sinensis
extracts, as a reducing and stabilizing agent, gold nanoparticles
and silver nanostructures were produced in aqueous solution
at ambient conditions [7]. Plant extracts from live alfalfa, the
broths of lemongrass, geranium leaves and others have served
as green reactants in Ag NP synthesis. The reaction of aqueous