%0 Journal Article %T Gold and silver nanoparticles from Trianthema decandra: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties %A Geethalakshmi R %A Sarada DV %J International Journal of Nanomedicine %D 2012 %I %R http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S36516 %X ld and silver nanoparticles from Trianthema decandra: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties Original Research (2015) Total Article Views Authors: Geethalakshmi R, Sarada DV Published Date October 2012 Volume 2012:7 Pages 5375 - 5384 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S36516 Received: 30 July 2012 Accepted: 24 August 2012 Published: 09 October 2012 R Geethalakshmi, DVL Sarada Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India Background: There is an increasing commercial demand for nanoparticles due to their wide applicability in various markets, including medicine, catalysis, electronics, chemistry, and energy. In this report, a simple and ecofriendly chemical reaction for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles from Trianthema decandra (Aizoaceae) has been developed. Methods and results: On treatment of aqueous solutions containing chloroauric acid or silver nitrate with root extract of T. decandra, stable gold or silver nanoparticles were rapidly formed. The kinetics of reduction of gold and silver ions during the reaction was analyzed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy showed formation of gold nanoparticles in various shapes, including spherical, cubical, triangular, and hexagonal, while silver nanoparticles were spherical. The size of the gold nanoparticles was 33¨C65 nm and that of the silver nanoparticles was 36¨C74 nm. Energy dispersive x-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of metallic gold and metallic silver in the respective nanoparticles. The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using the Kirby-Bauer method. The results show varied susceptibility of microorganisms to the gold and silver nanoparticles. Conclusion: It is believed that phytochemicals present in T. decandra extract reduce the silver and gold ions into metallic nanoparticles. This strategy reduces the cost of production and the environmental impact. The silver and gold nanoparticles formed showed strong activity against all microorganisms tested. %K Trianthema decandra %K gold %K silver %K nanoparticles %K antimicrobial activity %U https://www.dovepress.com/gold-and-silver-nanoparticles-from-trianthema-decandra-synthesis-chara-peer-reviewed-article-IJN