title: Gold and silver nanoparticles from Trianthema decandra: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  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 33-65 nm and that of the silver nanoparticles was 36-74 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geethalakshmi
authors.forename: D V L
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Sarada
mesh_terms: D035722:Aizoaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012834:Silver; D006046:Gold
keywords: Trianthema decandra; antimicrobial activity; gold; nanoparticles; silver