green and eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using saffron bulbs (crocus sativus l.) methanol extract

the present investigation report on the green bio-synthesis of silver nano-particles (ag nps) using methanol crude extract of saffron bulbs (crocus sativus l.). ag nps were characterized with the uv-vis, ftir, xrd and sem. the results obtained by uv-vis absorption spectroscopy indicated the presence of ag nps in the solution with maximum absorption at 425 nm. ag nps solution was stable for nearly 60 days with a little particle aggregation in reaction solution. the results of ftir showed that the proteins bound to ag nps through free amine groups and cystein residues and stabilize the ag nps. the xrd-pattern indicated that the synthesized ag nps were crystalline (54 nm average diameter). in addition, synthesized ag nps showed effective antibacterial activity and 20 μg/ml ag nps were the minimal inhibitory concentration (mic) against e. coli. thus, these ag nps of saffron bulbs can be used to reduce the microbial load in medicine as well as industry.