One-Pot Rapid Synthesis of Face-Centered Cubic Silver Nanoparticles Using Fermented Cow Urine, A Nanoweapon Against Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens

Abstract

One-pot rapid synthesis of face-centered cubic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been successfully accomplished using fermented cow urine as a reducing medium coupled with ultrasonication at an alkaline pH (9.5) in 1 min. AgNPs formation was monitored using UV-visible spectrophotometer by recording surface plasmon resonance at 365 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analysis has clearly revealed the nano-size of AgNPs (11–20 nm) and structural characterisation was carried out using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Fourier transformed infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that AgNPs were surface functionalized with hydroxyl, carboxyl and amide groups. Antibacterial potential of AgNPs was studied using disc diffusion and live/dead assays on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus epidermis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella abony and Klebsiella pneumonia has evidently revealed that AgNPs significantly inhibit all test bacterial pathogens. AgNPs were also found effective against phytopathogen, Fusarium oxysporum NCIM 1008. These studies have confirmed that AgNPs can be employed in cosmetics and wound dressings as a nanoweapon to control bacterial and fungal pathogens.