Phyto-synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Application to Bioactive Products Development

A proprietary technique of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using banana trunk fibres is reported for the first time. In this study the potential applications of silver nanoparticles to three products: filter paper, shoe in-sole and egg crates by exploiting the bioactive properties of silver nanoparticles was demonstrated. The nanoparticles were phyto-synthesized by the reduction of silver nitrate solution using banana trunk fibres as both reducing and capping agents. The presence of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the Plasmon resonance frequency absorption of silver at 420 nm; scanning electron microscopy and electron diffraction spectroscopy of the materials also showed the position of the nanoparticles within the fibre matrix and appreciable elemental signal level, respectively.